IRELAND AND LEINSTER FULLBACK Hugo Keenan has claimed that the decision to rescind Freddie Steward's red card from the Ireland v England game was the right one.Â
Ireland and England played out the Grand Slam decider in the Aviva Stadium last Saturday.
Andy Farrell's men won 29-16 on the day, but the game was marred by the red card to England's Steward in the first half
After a wayward pass by Ireland's Mack Hansen, Steward and opposite fullback Hugo Keenan both charged towards the ball.
Keenan lost control of the ball and met the incoming England fullbacks' shoulder in a collision.
Referee Jaco Peyper gave Steward his marching orders for the encounter after consulting the TMO at the time.
Many people argued that Steward's role in the sending off was harsh and was not done with intent to hurt Keenan.
The Leinster fullback had to be taken off for HIS and was replaced by Jimmy O'Brien for the rest of the game.
Freddie Steward's red card against Ireland has now been overturned 👀#BBCRugby #SixNations pic.twitter.com/IxNRIlE5li
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) March 22, 2023
This week Steward's red card was overturned by an independent disciplinary panel. He is now free to play in the Gallagher Premiership this weekend.
Keenan was asked about the incident at ‘a new Energia campaign called 'Think of the Possibilities’ and said: "It's probably fair enough, isn't it?.
"It's up to the citing commissioners and the refs to make those decisions but it was a bit of an accident, wasn't it?.
"He was very apologetic nearly straight away after and then after on the pitch as well.
"As a fellow full-back, I feel for him in those positions. I think it was just one of those sort of rugby incidents, it's not like it was a reckless high challenge or anything like that."
Keenan did not return to the pitch because he failed his HIA and had to watch Ireland go onto win the Slam.
He went onto to add that he was nervous on the side-line, but was glad that Ireland could get the job done last weekend.
"I certainly don't like watching the games from the side-line," said the 26-year-old.
"Jeez, the stress levels and the anxiety, oh God, I'm not used to it, and I don't want to get used to it. But thankfully, the lads stepped up and were brilliant."
Leinster play the Stormers tomorrow night in the United Rugby Championship.
See More: Freddie Steward, Hugo Keenan, Ireland, Rugby, Six Nations
