Welsh captain Alun Wyn Jones has called on World Rugby to act after Joe Marler grabbed his genitals during England’s Six Nations match with Wales.
The incident occurred in the 7th minute of a frantic Six Nations clash, during a fracas that involved several players.
Watch the moment in question below.
Joe Marler on Alun Wyn Jones... pic.twitter.com/YHxoKCkNOf
— Murray Kinsella (@Murray_Kinsella) March 7, 2020
Speaking after the match, Wyn Jones remarked; "Hopefully World Rugby have a look at it. Joe's a good bloke, lots of things happen on a rugby field. It's difficult as a captain these days because you can't speak to a ref about anything, it feels. I look at the touch judge. Obviously he didn't see what happened, and that's fine."
Wyn Jones also added: "There's a lot of footage that has been shown. It seems like a lot of supporters saw what happened. It's very frustrating that we talk a lot about TMOs (television match officials) and footage reviews, yet there doesn't seem to be a lot of it happening."
Marler was not sanctioned on the pitch for the incident, but could still face the wrath of the match citing commissioner.
World Rugby's Law 10 states that the minimum punishment for "testicle grabbing or twisting or squeezing" is a 12-week suspension, that could rise to 24 weeks.
Marler grope dominating headlines as England claim triple crown
Despite trailing by 17 points with less than twenty minutes to go, Wales would go on to score two late tries. England eventually won by 33-30. England also had Manu Tuilagi sent off for a tackle on George North, in a game that saw six tries.
"What would you do in that situation?"
Watch Alun Wyn Jones responding to questions about Marler grabbing him, below.
🏉 Alun Wyn Jones on the Marler incident pic.twitter.com/YleT7Cw1VL
— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) March 7, 2020
While Eddie Jones and England have claimed the 2020 triple crown after beating Scotland, Ireland and Wales, their defeat in Paris means that France are still in control of the Championship.
As an aside, former international Rugby referee Jonathan Kaplan referred today in the Telegraph about the infamous John Hopoate. He was suspended by the NRL back in 2001 after he "developed a habit 0f attempting to stick his fingers up opponents backsides." - it remains to be seen what actions World Rugby will take against Marler.
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