After another week of European action, we take a look at how social media reacted to the rugby on display.
Danny Cipriani sent-off after missing out on England squad
The second week of European action is in the books and there was some enthralling rugby to enjoy as the best teams of Europe battled it out in the group stages.
In Pool 2, Gloucester faced Munster and just days after failing to make it into Eddie Jones’ England Autumn Internationals squad, Danny Cipriani got sent-off for a high tackle.
What do you make of the hit? Did it deserve a red-card?
Danny Cipriani has been sent off π΄
He knew straight away he was going to be shown red for this tackle.
He apologised on his way off but his week has gone from bad to worse… pic.twitter.com/XGga2MHz2P
— Watch the Heineken Champions Cup on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) October 20, 2018
Rugby has gone so soft. Should never be sent off for that! https://t.co/2pSCPOBpbF
— Sam Hufton (@sam1hufton) October 20, 2018
So Cipriani gets a red and Twelvetrees concedes just a penalty. Irrespective of thoughts on the red card (harsh), where is the consistency? #MUNvGLO
— Marc Brown (@QuestionMarc85) October 20, 2018
Regardless, the decision significantly hindered Gloucester’s chances of winning but the match still provided end to end action throughout.
Irish number 10 Joey Carberry looked confident and in total control of the Munster back-line. At the heart of everything, Carberry pulled off this sublime pass which eventually lead to a try that blew the match wide-open. Munster were the eventual winners 36-22 and Carberry was the man of the match.
Joey Carbery π₯π₯π₯
On. Repeat. All. Day. π pic.twitter.com/ksBp71uS2R
— Watch the Heineken Champions Cup on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) October 20, 2018
Elsewhere, Newcastle once again secured a dramatic win against French opposition. A week after narrowly defeating Toulon, the Falcons managed to score a last-minute try against Montpellier to win 23-20. They used roughly 40 phases and played until the 89th minute when Callum Chick finished off the match to score just to the right of the posts.
What a win for @FalconsRugby !!
Fantastic to see 2015 graduate @Callum_Chick power over for the winner… ably supported by 2011 graduate @guiggs66 π#Gossy #AASE #Falcons pic.twitter.com/MPqZVy0NFi
— Falcons AASE Scheme (@FalconsAASE) October 21, 2018
Another huge congratulations to the @FalconsRugby players today.what a way to win a rugby game,keeping the ball for over 8 minutes and 40 phases!enjoy the beer x
— Robert Vickers (@robvickers81) October 21, 2018
NEWCASTLE!!
39th phase
88.42 on the clock.
Oh wow!#Newcastle #ChampionsCup #Montpellier
— Will Kelleher (@willgkelleher) October 21, 2018
Whilst Newcastle were keeping their heads, nobody really knew what was going on between Cardiff Blues and Glasgow Warriors thanks to both teams wearing remarkably similar kits. Commentating on the game, Martyn Williams tweeted out;
Most difficult game Iβve ever had to commentate on! What was with those kits? No idea who was who π
— Martyn Williams (@martynewilliams) October 21, 2018
Guess Who π€·ββοΈ
A bit of a kit clash between Cardiff Blues and Glasgow Warriors. pic.twitter.com/I9dhCEbUyz
— TheRugbyPaper (@TheRugbyPaper) October 21, 2018
Gareth Anscombe in particular was critical of the decision after the game;
Gareth Anscombe on the kit clash in @cardiff_blues vs @GlasgowWarriors: βIt was an out-and-out disgrace. I don't know who the guy's job is to decide that, but he has got to face consequences for it.
βIt's sunny, and rugby is a hard enough game."— Alex Bywater (@_AlexBywater) October 21, 2018
Glasgow eventually emerged as 29-12 winners and their final try was a thing to behold. Watch it below;
STOP THAT @GlasgowWarriors!
Bonus point and one of the best tries scored by a Scottish team ever!
Oh yes! #CARvGLA pic.twitter.com/QCp4VK2Z1F
— Thistle Scottish Rugby Podcast (@thistlerugbypod) October 21, 2018
Arguably the best match of the weekend though was between Toulouse and Leinster. A game for the neutrals, both European heavyweights slugged it out with the French side narrowly securing the victory.
Full-time. What a game. Congratulations to Toulouse. #TOUvLEI pic.twitter.com/PcNjDsgsmY
— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) October 21, 2018
A week after knocking the ball out of Freddie Burns hands to deny a certain try, Maxime Medard was once again brilliant against the Irish side, picking up two tries, the second of which proving to be the difference.
WHAT A GAME!!!
Maxime Medard's runaway try is the difference between the two sides as @StadeToulousain beat @leinsterrugby 28-27 π€―#TOUvLEI π https://t.co/fCFqCgZpiG pic.twitter.com/ptb9fSn430
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) October 21, 2018
However there was some controversy with Sofiane Guitoune’s try after he appeared to drop the ball as he was grounding it. This moment has divided opinion, you can judge for yourself below;
Since when is this a try? He definitely didnβt ground that. JOKE #TOUvLEI #rugby @RugbyLAD7 pic.twitter.com/NqhzVB30RI
— Callum Cleary (@SantanCleary) October 21, 2018
Racing 92 also picked up a handsome win over Ulster by 44-12 but the game will best be remembered for Simon Zebo’s try in the last five minutes when he taunted his opponent before scoring. The game was already over but Zebo was quick to apologise to referee Nigel Owens.
Simon Zebo taunts his opponent as he scores π
Nigel Owens isn't impressed π‘
Simon Zebo apologises πGreat refereeing @Nigelrefowens! pic.twitter.com/OoPjDJ2jLA
— Watch the Heineken Champions Cup on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) October 20, 2018
Credit where credit is due to @SimonZebo. When in the heat of battle things happen but u realise it was not in the spirit of the game & apologise for it. It takes a good man to do that. Credit to both Racing & Ulster for playing a great game of @ChampionsCup rugby.Well done all https://t.co/pPOTAahW9j
— Nigel Owens MBE (@Nigelrefowens) October 20, 2018
Stay tuned for next weeks Social Media round up.
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