Freddie Steward was sent off just before half-time in Saturday’s 29-16 defeat in Dublin after a challenge on Hugo Keenan; Steward’s red card card has been rescinded to a yellow, meaning he can feature in upcoming Leicester Tigers matches
Last Updated: 22/03/23 10:56am
Freddie Steward was sent off late in the first half of Saturday’s Six Nations match against Ireland in Dublin
England full-back Freddie Steward has been cleared to play after his red card in Saturday’s Six Nations defeat by Ireland was overturned.
Steward appeared before a virtual disciplinary hearing on Tuesday night for a dangerous challenge to the head of Hugo Keenan that ended the full-back’s afternoon at the Aviva Stadium.
However, while it was decided the tackle was an act of foul play, the panel felt there were sufficient mitigating circumstances to view it as a yellow card offence only.
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Ireland head coach Andy Farrell says he is delighted to clinch the Grand Slam on home turf while England’s Steve Borthwick admits his side fell short.
England’s frustration at the decision by referee Jaco Peyper will have only have increased knowing that Steward should have only sat out just 10 minutes of the game rather than the entire second-half.
Steve Borthwick’s men showed resolve in the face of the Leicester full-back’s dismissal, which drew an incredulous “Red card?!” response from Owen Farrell, before being beaten 29-16 as Ireland completed the Grand Slam.
England were trailing 10-6 at the time of Steward’s dismissal
But the hearing noted in its statement that “match officials are required to make decisions under pressure and in the heat of a live match environment”.
The full statement from the Independent Disciplinary Committee read: “England full-back Freddie Steward appeared before an independent Disciplinary Committee via video link having received a red card in the Guinness Six Nations match between Ireland and England on Saturday 18th March 2023 played at the Aviva Stadium.
