WATCH: Fans divided after Freddie Steward sent off for trying to ...

There was criticism for referee Jaco Peyper after England full-back Freddie Steward was sent off after his arm hit the head of Hugo Keenan.

Mack Hansen had just knocked on as the clock went into the red when Keenan ran to claim the loose ball.

Steward also ran towards the ball but, knowing that he was going to make contact with Keenan, he turned his back and braced for impact.

His arm ended up making contact with the Ireland player’s head and, after consultation with his fellow match officials, Peyper decided that it was a red card offence.

England's afternoon gets a lot tougher ????

Do you think Freddie Steward deserved to see red for this? ????#GuinnessSixNations | #ITVRugby pic.twitter.com/yql6jKprJW

— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) March 18, 2023

Some thought the call was correct, including most of ITV’s punditry team, but supporters and former players disagreed.

"We're talking milliseconds here…"@BrianoDriscoll8 on the red card decision just before half time.#GuinnessSixNations | #ITVRugby pic.twitter.com/m6iW7ipZJJ

— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) March 18, 2023

The decision sparked a reaction on Twitter, with many believing that referee Peyper got the call wrong.

“Don’t believe that’s foul play. It’s a reflex to stop himself being clattered by Keenan, for me. Feel for Steward.” noted commentator Nick Heath.

Don’t believe that’s foul play. It’s a reflex to stop himself being clattered by Keenan, for me. Feel for Steward.

— Nick Heath (@nickheathsport) March 18, 2023

Former England fly-half Andy Goode reacted by tweeting: “Awful call from Jaco Peyper, that’s a rugby incident never a red card for Steward.”

Awful call from Jaco Peyper, that’s a rugby incident never a red card for Steward

— Andy Goode (@AndyGoode10) March 18, 2023

Fellow former international Will Greenwood also believed the decision was incorrect, stating that Steward did not enough time to react.

“Steward had a split second to react – after a knock on – to a man running at him. Of course his instinct should be to make himself as vulnerable as possible – there was no intent – he was protecting himself – what a bloody joke,” he tweeted.

Steward had a split second to react – after a knock on – to a man running at him. Of course his instinct should be to make himself as vulnerable as possible – there was no intent – he was protecting himself – what a bloody joke

— Will Carling (@willcarling) March 18, 2023

Ben Foden agreed and tweeted that it was a yellow card at most.

“Anyone who thinks that was a red card has never played rugby. If Steward didn’t pull out it would have been much worse for Keenan. Yellow at worse. A forward pass, bouncing ball and split second decision which steward did the right thing and pulled out.”

Anyone who thinks that was a red card has never played rugby. If steward didn’t pull out it would have been much worse for Keenan. Yellow at worse. A forward pass, bouncing ball and split second decision which steward did the right thing and pulled out. ????????‍♂️????????‍♂️

— Ben Foden (@ben_foden) March 18, 2023

Meanwhile, Irish Independent writer Rúaidhrí O’Connor felt it was the correct decision.

“Red card for Freddie Steward – their discipline has been poor all day Owen Farrell is fuming, but it’s the right call in my book.”

Red card for Freddie Steward – their discipline has been poor all day

Owen Farrell is fuming, but it's the right call in my book

— Rúaidhrí O'Connor (@RuaidhriOC) March 18, 2023

Fellow Irish journalist Murray Kinsella sympathised with Steward.

“For me, that’s tough on Steward given Irish knock-on just before. He’s not thinking tackle situation. Obviously horrible collision but really tough to get out of the way there.”

For me, that's tough on Steward given Irish knock-on just before.

He's not thinking tackle situation.

Obviously horrible collision but really tough to get out of the way there.

— Murray Kinsella (@Murray_Kinsella) March 18, 2023

Finally, @rugbyandthelaw believed that it was simply a ‘rugby incident’ and that it shouldn’t have been a red card.

“Looks to me like Steward was attempting not to make a tackle. In the circumstances of the spilled ball and Keenan’s attempt to regather, which completely changed the dynamic of the situation, I can’t see this as anything but accidental. A rugby incident. Not a red card for me.”

Looks to me like Steward was attempting not to make a tackle.

In the circumstances of the spilled ball and Keenan’s attempt to regather, which completely changed the dynamic of the situation, I can’t see this as anything but accidental.

A rugby incident. Not a red card for me. https://t.co/8Cs0rtD3Au

— Rugby and the Law (@rugbyandthelaw) March 18, 2023

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