Jonny Sexton was, to the surprise of absolutely nobody, the victim of a number of late hits in the first half of Ireland vs England on Saturday, but while the English players were warned by the referee on those instances, it seems as though Sexton got away with his act of retribution.
It certainly wasn't the most vicious offence ever seen on a rugby pitch, but Johnny Sexton was spotted making a clear attempt to trip James Haskell up while on the wrong side of the ruck, and it seems to have been missed by everyone, including Haskell funnily enough.
Did Sexton just kick Haskell?! pic.twitter.com/iydKByMFd5
— RugbyInsideLine (@RugbyInsideLine) March 18, 2017
It wasn't a smart move as a penalty could easily have been awarded, but no action was taken and the game went on.
That has upset a number of England fans on Twitter, with some claiming that he should have been sinbinned for kicking out at an opponent.
Why hasn't anyone picked up on the Sexton kick at Haskell aiming for his foot? Definitely sin bin or worse.
— Neil Drinkwater (@Drinkers68) March 18, 2017
Sexton constantly on the English side of the ruck, sure he just kicked Haskell. }:(
— thedeadballarea (@thedeadballarea) March 18, 2017
Did Sexton just kick Haskell?! pic.twitter.com/iydKByMFd5
— RugbyInsideLine (@RugbyInsideLine) March 18, 2017
@RugbyInsideLine yes, I spotted that too. But St Johnny can do no wrong
— LordYama (@Grim_Reaper71) March 18, 2017
Sexton just tried to trip Haskell and Haskell didn't even notice.
— Tom (@UTVilla) March 18, 2017
Sexton just tried to trip Haskell up, rat #IREvENG
— Grant (@gharkness97) March 18, 2017
Rat? That seems a bit harsh, no?
Especially considering the treatment Sexton has received from England's back row already, but there's no questioning that he was lucky that none of the officials, or even commentators as it stands, saw the incident.
