Red cards to stay in rugby, world body chief says

Sydney: Red cards meted out as part of a crackdown on concussion-related injuries are here to stay, World Rugby chief Brett Gosper said on Sunday, despite frustration over recent decisions. Leicester interim head coach Geordan Murphy said last week the “game’s gone too PC” after lock Will Spencer was red carded for catching hooker Tommy Taylor with a shoulder to the head. Earlier this month, Australia’s George Smith, a flanker with Bristol, was sent off for a dangerous tackle against Saracens that was later rescinded by a disciplinary hearing.

“We’ve got to work on our consistency I guess, but at the end of the day we’re trying to change player behaviour,” Gosper told reporters ahead of World Rugby meetings in Sydney.