Irish winger James Lowe’s try should have been invalidated against the Blues

A matter of perspective. For several minutes, the images paraded in front of the referees, but also in front of the spectators of the Aviva Stadium. In the 21st minute of a match played at a crazy pace between Ireland and France, Damian Penaud tries, in a desperate defensive gesture, to prevent James Lowe from scoring the second Irish try, during the second day of the Six Nations Tournament, Saturday February 11. The whole question was whether the Irishman’s right foot touched the touchline before the ball was flattened.

In the replays offered by the Irish production, it is very difficult to say that the action of the Clermontois pushed his opponent into touch. The English referee Wayne Barnes therefore validates the try, and the Clover XV is then only led 12 to 13. But images, found by France Télévisions, clearly show that James Lowe’s foot has touched the ground. in touch, before he flattens the ball in the in-goal. The referee of the meeting should therefore have invalidated it. It was Ireland’s second of four tries against France, who were beaten 32-19.