I agree that the review of Marler’s comments should be pretty straight forward. I’m surprised that it’s taking so long to review. If he is banned, I wonder who will be called in to replace him?

Pigface; it’s not a popularity contest. If he gets results, he’s fine by me. Lancaster tried to turn it into a popularity contest and forgot about the coaching side of things. I know what I’d rather have. The fact that the press lap up the crap that he spouts is quite funny really and I’m sure that it’s intentional in much the same way that Gatland used to do it to take pressure off the players etc.

Racial abuse is an interesting one. It’s not about what you say, but how its perceived by the one receiving. If Lee is upset by the comments, then Marler will be in trouble. I don’t really know much about the Romany culture, but if calling them gypsy is the equivalent of the “N” word to a black player, then I see a big ban.

But once again, we only know it because it was picked up on the ref mic. I’m pretty certain worse things would have been said on the pitch by others, especially in the bottom of a ruck, or at the coal face on the front row. How about when we play the French/boks? We hav no idea what they mutter in their own languages, but I’ll bet some of it is pretty vile.

But the Internet fora need to fed. People can pour over the clips and cherry pick incidents to suit their own particular cause.

So is the ex Mrs Button and she is gorgeous, what is your point?

Also don’t understand the advantage rule anymore. Visser’s try, at the breakdown before the French player was deliberately playing the ball in full view of the ref off his feet and offside, arm went up, ball out score.
Surely at least that player should have got a warning, last chance as he should have been yellow carded for professional foul play.

In the scenario of professional foul play in the 5m should it matter if the score is made or not?

Oh, we are doing well with pointless circular arguments today!

If you said you were disgusted looking at someone, and they were black, you would get pilloried. But don’t worry, it’s only the arrogant English that make racist comments

Better things to do, thanks all the same. His about nearly ever try scored and the afters that the tackler leaves behind. Loads of forearm smashes and hits to exposed backs. How many gifs there….

Nice irony, but yes I will.

Like grown ups and most rugby players, they sorted it out themselves. People say stupid things in the heat of the moment which may or may not cause offence (depends on the sensitivity of the recipient). Has rugby degenerated so much that players can sort these things out themselevs. We don’t know the nature of the apology at half time, but that is what should happen. After bashing shit out of each other, players shake hands and have a beer*. It was ever thus.

* ok share a protein drink these days.

DD – that’s a good post, lots of issues there.

I think we should have a professional review panel (refs and recent pros) to go through all internationals with a fine tooth comb, and apply strict sanctions as necessary. Teams should be given feedback for minor indiscretions too, allowing them to work on any issues.

I find the current inconsistent TMO interventions affect the game too much.

DanW – yep, that’s far worse IMHO. Having spent a bit of time in Aus, they are light years behind us in terms of sexism/racism.

Nice irony, but yes I will.

I wasn’t being ironic.

Ah,that makes it all ok then. See DD’s post above for the normal person’s take on racial slurs,maybe you could read it a few times,maybe mail him if there is anything you don’t understand.

Darcy and Dan. Already happens for internationals. Thats why papers/coaches/pundits will speculate about what the ref d’jour is hot on.

No it’s not – and he will get 4 weeks, that clear.

And oven that national is on there, heaven forbid that someone is going to get upset by being called and English/Welsh ****, but those are the rules aren’t they…..and consistently is key. At least the rule makers are grown up enough to realise that race and nations are different things.

Used to get plenty of national abuse playing in Scotland – loved it, as you knew the oppo were worried if they had to resort to it. Much more worried by the silent heavy tackle…

England will muller France. It is time we stopped with the “Which France will turn up” line,because it will be the rubbish one.

Ref said he couldn’t see a grounding, in the old days that would have been no try and there was no conclusive evidence from the TMO that there was a grounding. So I’m sticking with no try.

+1

Let’s not forget however that this is France, at home, playing the English. I guarantee they will suddenly play with the power and pace of old and stop us getting a grandslam. I can see it now – an attritional first half with little in it. Followed by 10 – 15 minutes after the break where they step it up a gear and put too many points on the board for us to claw back in the last quarter when we suddenly switch on. No point in even watching the game 😉

I do not think that calling someone “gypsy boy” is racist (comparing it with insulting someone based on actual race is bloody awful mind), but personally I wouldn’t choose to use that kind of language to insult someone.
Whilst I might have taken the piss initially, broadly I agree with darcy, he should be sanctioned. It’s the kind of language we are trying to move away from in society so it will need to be punished in sport.

I know dd disagreed with me, but I discuss this stuff with my wife (employment lawyer) quite a bit, and she’s very quick to tell me I’m wrong. The general tenet of the law, is that it doesn’t matter how you meant it, but it is about whether offence was caused. People well above our pay grade will decide where the line is, and if he crossed it.

I broadly agree with wreckers last sentence.

So just heard on the radio that Marler has been cited for the “strike”.

Other one still under review.

EDIT: From rolling sports news:

A separate incident of alleged verbal abuse involving Marler is still being investigated. Marler apologised to Wales prop Samson Lee for calling him a “gypsy boy” during Saturday’s Six Nations match at Twickenham.

Looking back to the Fra/Ire game, the whole bloody team should have been cited/banned for the late hits/swinging arms we saw in that game – far worse than what we are talking about here.

England have Nigel Owens next week, so hopefully not a referee affected outcome