Andy Gilder wrote:
I felt a little sorry for the referee, Wayne Barnes.
He was depending on his touchjudge to give him some kind of help in identifying what went on, and all he got was basically a fairytale bearing little or no resemblance to the facts. For both parties to get the same punishment for what on the street would have amounted to a mugging by Tuilagi was ludicrous and that could have tipped the game in Northampton's favour had appropriate action been taken.
The touchjudge had clearly not seen the incident properly, that is why I called it pathetic. I have no blame on the referee for not seeing the incident, as it was miles away from the ball. What the touchie then did was really poor officiating, he should have said he didn't see it properly and to have a look on the video. Tuilagi should have been given a red, no doubt about it.
The thing is, Northampton were disadvantaged once Ashton was back on anyway (I assume) since nobody can play to their full potential after a beating like that.
