Peter Jackson: Ringrose incident should have game on red alert

The Ireland and Leinster man would have almost certainly earned a dismissal on Saturday had World Rugby left well alone instead of diluting the real red with a soft 20-minute version. 

PINGED: Garry Ringrose of Ireland leaves the pitch after being shown a yellow card by referee Christophe Ridley. Pic: Ben McShane/Sportsfile

Once the deafening acclamation of a mighty match had subsided, a mournful sound could be heard in the emptiness of the game’s mightiest cathedral. It turned out to be a requiem for the red card.

How ironic that on a day when the Six Nations rejoiced at Wales rediscovering its soul, the tournament should lose a bit of theirs; hence the wails over the disappearance of the red card as it used to be – a serious deterrent to foul play.