Leinster prop Andrew Porter was lucky to escape punishment for his tackle on Juan Cruz Mallia during the Champions Cup semi-final on Saturday.
Porter made the tackle shortly before halftime in the build-up to Emmanuel Meafou’s try.
The prop lifted Mallia and dumped him down after the Toulouse winger quickly shifted the ball on.
Meafou dotted down moments later, but many onlookers believe that Porter still should have been punished for the tackle.
Porter is very lucky. pic.twitter.com/AA6jCiS1QV
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) April 29, 2023
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The officials did not check the tackle, and replays were not shown during the game.
“Thought they’d have a look at that Porter tackle on Mallia just before the try.” tweeted Irish journalist Murray Kinsella.
“Where’s the TMO gone? Head in the biscuit tin or gone to the toilet?! How’s he missed this clear yellow card for Porter for the tip tackle?!” Tweeted former England flyhalf Andy Goode along with a clip of the tackle.
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Where’s the TMO gone? Head in the biscuit tin or gone to the toilet?! How’s he missed this clear yellow card for Porter for the tip tackle?! pic.twitter.com/2Aj7EkOUSn
— Andy Goode (@AndyGoode10) April 29, 2023
“Ah the Irish tv producer not showing the the tip tackle by Porter, what a joke.” another viewer noted.
In a rip-roaring first half, Leinster were first to break the deadlock through a Ross Byrne penalty.
Toulouse struck back with the opening try as Pita Ahki finished off a swift attack as he powered over the whitewash. Thomas Ramos added the extras to give Toulouse a 3-7 lead.
However, Ramos would spend 10 minutes in the sin bin when he got a potential intercept wrong, and referee Wayne Barnes yellow carded the full-back.
Leinster capitalised on the one-man advantage as number eight Jack Conan scored a quick brace during the period that Ramos was off the pitch.
Dan Sheehan scored Leinster’s third shortly after Ramos returned to give Leinster a 20-point lead.
Meafou’s score closed the gap to 13 points.