Ireland's Tadhg Beirne to face no further punishment as red card rescinded 

Ireland's Tadhg Beirne stands on the sideline after receiving a red card. Pic: AP Photo/Erin Hooley

Tadhg Beirne will face no further punishment for the controversial red card he received early on in Ireland's loss to the All Blacks at Soldier Field in Chicago on Saturday night.

Beirne was initially shown yellow for his clash with All Blacks out-half Beauden Barrett by referee Pierre Brousset, but the offence was then upgraded to a 20-minute red card after a bunker review. 

Having appeared before an independent Disciplinary Committee on Tuesday, Beirne's red card has now been rescinded.

Although Andy Farrell's Ireland dealt with the 20 minutes down to 14 men in impressive fashion, they eventually fell 26-13 to Scott Robertson's All Blacks. 

Post-game, Farrell questioned how the officials upgraded the 33-year-old Munster man's yellow to red, whilst All Black playmaker Barrett noted he was "gutted" for Beirne.

He (Beirne) didn't intentionally put a shoulder on me," Barrett said. "I can't hide from the fact that I copped a shoulder to somewhere up there, that's what happened, but I'll support him in terms of mitigating whatever happens next.

"I don't feel there's any intention there, it's just unfortunate."

Beirne will now be available to face Japan, if selected, at the Aviva Stadium this Saturday. 

A statement on the matter issued late on Tuesday night read: "Ireland No. 5, Tadhg Beirne, appeared before an independent Disciplinary Committee on Tuesday, 4th November via video link, having received a 20-minute red card for an act of foul play contrary to Law 9.13 in the match between Ireland and New Zealand on Saturday, 1st November 2025.

"The independent Disciplinary Committee was chaired by Christopher Quinlan KC, joined by former international referee Wayne Erickson (Australia) and former international player Becky Essex (England).

"Having considered the player’s and other evidence and reviewed the footage, the Disciplinary Committee accepted the player’s submissions that whilst an act of foul play had occurred, it did not meet the red card threshold.

"The 20-minute Red Card was thus rescinded. As a result, the Player is now free to play and available for selection this weekend."