Gordon D'Arcy Calmly Corrects Goode For His Take On Steward Tackle | Balls.ie

England's win over Wales yesterday turned out to be a costly one with Owen Farrell getting red carded, and staring at a ban that could seriously impact his World Cup.

Another incident that occurred during the game was when England fullback Freddie Steward took out Wales winger Josh Adams in the air, which resulted in a yellow for Steward.

While Steward did have his eyes on the ball most of the way, he lost track of it as he ran into the legs of the leaping Adams, who crashed hard into the ground.

Adams landed badly on his shoulder, before clutching his head, which ex-England out-half Andy Goode took umbrage to, feeling that Adams was 'milking' the red card.

Gordon D'Arcy responded to Goode on Twitter, and calmly reminded him that head damage can be caused through a hard landing, even if the main contact is another part of the body:

Goode, it’s been a while since either of us have been up that high (if ever). While he might have landed on his shoulder, the whole point of this focus on head injuries is that it isn’t solely about head contact. That isn’t a soft landing by any stretch..

Gordon D'Arcy Responds To Andy Goode

Goode, it’s been a while since either of us have been up that high (if ever). While he might have landed on his shoulder, the whole point of this focus on head injuries is that it isn’t solely about head contact. That isn’t a soft landing by any stretch.. https://t.co/wawmh4UmMP

— Gordon D'Arcy (@Gordonwdarcy) August 12, 2023

"For all the helmets out there it’s obviously foul play and a yellow card as he lands on his side, my point was holding your head looking for a red card isn’t on," wrote Goode initially on Twitter.

"If you hold your head you should automatically go for a HIA and it might help stamp it out."

With all the controversy surrounding head injuries in rugby, with many ex-pros taking legal action for the long-term damage it has caused them, it is another questionable take from the often controversial Goode.

Furthermore, it call into question the character and integrity of Josh Adams, which is a big call to make without definitive proof.