'Absolutely wrong' - Yellow card controversy spills into PREM Rugby as Leicester Tigers' Ollie Hassell-Collins gets 'ridiculous' yellow
Updated 28/11/2025 at 22:53 GMT
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Austin Healey questioned whether officials "were watching different pictures" following Ollie Hassell-Collins' yellow card in Leicester Tigers' PREM match away at Newcastle Red Bulls. The 26-year-old was sent to the bin after it was ruled he had made contact with the head of Ethan Grayson during a tackle, but Healey said the decision was "absolutely wrong" and that it was "not even a penalty".
‘It's not even a penalty’ – Healey fumes at ‘ridiculous’ Hassell-Collins yellow
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Austin Healey described Ollie Hassell-Collins’ yellow card against Newcastle Red Bulls as "ridiculous", saying the incident was "not even a penalty".
The Leicester Tigers wing was sent to the sin bin in the 17th minute of the PREM clash at Kingston Park on Friday night following a high tackle on Ethan Grayson.
After the tackle was raised by the Television Match Official (TMO), it was ruled that Hassell-Collins had made contact with the head of Grayson with his right shoulder.
This resulted in referee Sara Cox brandishing the yellow card, but Healey was convinced this was the incorrect decision.
The former England international said on TNT Sports: "There's no contact there with his head, he hits him on the side on the elbow.
"That's wrong, that's absolutely wrong, there's no head contact there. I'm sorry, it's not even a penalty. He doesn't even touch him."
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Healey added: "Are they watching different pictures? That's ridiculous. I'm sorry, it's ridiculous.
"Dean Richards [the TMO] has called that in as head contact. On seeing that on repeated occasions, he should just say: ‘Sorry, I've made a mistake, there's no head contact, let's get on with the game.’"
The decision did not prove decisive in the match, with the Tigers claiming a 39-17 victory to move up to fourth in the PREM.
It comes at a time when officiating in rugby is under increased scrutiny following a host of controversial decisions during the Quilter Nations Series.
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In successive games, South Africa received straight red cards, which have become a rarity at the top level of rugby following the introduction of the 20-minute red-card.
Both decisions were criticised and appealed by the Springboks, and Franco Mostert’s red card against Italy, the second of the two, was rescinded.
Japan’s Harry Hockings had a 20-minute red card against Wales retrospectively rescinded, while Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Tommy O’Brien were fortunate to avoid sanctions in the contest between South Africa and Ireland.
Wells toilet break delays restart
Shortly after Hassell-Collins’ yellow card at Kingston Park, play was held up by Tigers replacement Harry Wells reportedly going to the toilet when he was being substituted onto the field.
Tigers lock James Thompson was forced off to undergo a head injury assessment (HIA), and the visiting side were hoping to send Wells on in his place.
But there was no sign of the 32-year-old as staff were seen looking around the dugout for him, with the resumption of the game being delayed at this point.
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‘Nipped to the gents’ - Ill-timed toilet break holds up Newcastle v Leicester
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Eventually, Wells emerged from the tunnel, and it is believed he had been using the facilities inside the changing room.
Commentating on TNT Sports, Jamie Lyall said: "I don't think anybody told him.
"Word from our staff prowling the touchline is that he nipped to the gents, but he is duly relieved and on for James Thompson."
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Watch and stream the Gallagher PREM, Quilter Nations Series and Premiership Women's Rugby on TNT Sports and discovery+
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