'I don't believe it ruins the game' | Gerry Thornley & Fiona Hayes on red cards and the safety of rugby

World Rugby must stamp out high tackles, and red cards are the way forward, according to Gerry Thornley and Fiona Hayes.

On Saturday, Charlie Ewels received a red card after just 82-seconds for a high tackle on James Ryan during Ireland's victory over England.

Ireland played well for the opening ten minutes of the game before England clawed their way back to make it 15-15 after 60-minutes played. Ryan did not return to play following the tackle.

Speaking on Monday Night Rugby, journalist Gerry Thornley expressed his belief that red cards do not damage the flow of the game.

"I don't believe a red card ruins a game," claimed Thornley. "That idea doesn't work for me. England were back at 15-15, and the stadium was rocking.

"It makes it more likely to be an Ireland win, but it was a belter of a game. I don't believe it ruins the game."

Former Ireland captain Fiona Hayes concurred that World Rugby needs to stamp out high tackles as much as possible.

"A red card is the way forward, and it needs to be highlighted by the referees," claimed Hayes. "I think that's where the problem is. It's slightly improving, but not enough."

7 February 2021; James Ryan of Ireland before leaving the pitch during the Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Wales and Ireland at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. Photo by Chris Fairweather/Sportsfile

Thornley highlighted previous discussions about changing red card laws as ludicrous in helping player safety.

"It highlights the daftness of this idea that red cards should become 20-minute-only offences. That counters against the campaign to make rugby a safer game.

"We're outlawing headline hits, but on the other hand, we're not going to punish them as much as we used to?

"There are still too many high hits and too many people coming off with concussions. The referee's primary duty of care is the safety of players, reducing the risk of players at every possibility.

"This message has to be broken down and tackled.

"I'm sure he didn't mean to hit James Ryan in the head. You've got no debate about it until the penny drops."

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