This was the moment Ellis Genge head-butted Alex Mann(Image: ITV)
A moment of madness from England prop Ellis Genge has sparked a furious reaction from Welsh rugby fans after footage was posted on social media.
Wales were thumped 48-7 by England at Allianz Stadium on Saturday evening and despite being completely outclassed and outmuscled by their opponents, there was a particular moment that raised more than a few eyebrows. With only 13 minutes played, Cardiff Rugby flanker Alex Mann got under the skin of Bristol Bears prop Genge, who retaliated.
Genge marched towards Mann and in one movement, appeared to head-butt the 24-year-old with some force. Mann would throw an arm back towards Genge in retaliation.
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While England were penalised with a penalty, the severity of Genge’s actions could have seen him dealt with far more severely. England were 10-0 up at the time and would go on to hammer Wales in London.
Wales had four yellow cards themselves with a string of infringements throughout the game, so it’s unlikely Genge’s sending off would have changed the course of the game entirely but still, the PREM Rugby star should have seen red, according to many rugby fans.
“This was horribly stupid from Genge,” said RugbyInsideLine. “Likely not enough for a citing, but could have been worse in game.”
Other fans would then compare a Jasper Wiese incident against Italy in a South Africa game, where the former Leicester Tigers man was red-carded and banned afterwards.
One account wrote: “Ellis Genge should have been sent off. England are the dirtiest team in world rugby.”
A South African fan reposted the comparison and said: “We need to see some consistency here! Genge should get cited and a ban, but he probably won’t!”
A Welsh rugby fan said: “So let’s get this right. Ellis Genge goes in with his head on Alex Mann and get(s) no card for it. If that was the other way around that would have seen Wales down to 14 for a while.”
Journalist Will Slattery added: “Ellis Genge only guilty of a ‘head push’, no card. A generous interpretation.”
Genge would run into Mann a little later on and be urged by one team-mate: “Gengey, stay away from him” to avoid any further trouble. Read the full unheard conversations article here.
Later in the first half, Tomos Williams would get the better of Genge, with the prop on his knees behind the ruck and offside. Clearly not affecting play, Williams didn’t care and threw the ball directly into his chest, winning a penalty.
Genge was visibly incensed after this moment and was removed by Borthwick at half-time for 25-year-old Sale Sharks prop Bevan Rodd despite there being no injury to Genge.
