The call that decided the Six Nations
The French hooker, who appeared to headbutt Scotland scrum-half Ben White in the first half, was only shown a yellow card by referee Matthew Carley
France‘s Six Nations triumph has been coloured by controversy after Peato Mauvaka’s off-ball headbutt on Ben White during the first half of their 35-16 win over Scotland in Paris.
After White was pushed to the ground by French full-back Thomas Ramos, Mauvaka then appeared to launch himself at the Toulon scrum-half leading with his head, after the whistle had blown.
Mauvaka was shown a yellow card after referee Matthew Carley and television match official Marius van der Westhuizen ruled that there was not a “high level of danger” despite his actions.
The incident took place after 20 minutes with the score at 13-5 to France and Mauvaka was able to play a key role in their victory after returning from the sin bin.
After the match, Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend suggested the laws of the game had been applied wrong, saying: “The decision not to raise it to a red card was because there was not excessive force.
“I’m not sure that is the criterion for a non-tackle incident. That was clearly not a tackle incident. It was after the whistle. So if there was head contact and that was intentional, it shouldn’t really have anything to do with the force.”
Scotland co-captain Rory Darge went further, explaining it “looked like an intentional headbutt” and deserved a red card.
Meanwhile former Scotland No 8 Johnnie Beattie said on ITV: “I’d say so [Mauvaka should have been sent off]. You can’t be flying across by the head at people in rugby. We don’t have a place for that in our sport. I think he’s very lucky. He’s very fortunate that hasn’t been upgraded to a red.”
Yet ITV commentator Scott Hastings agreed with the call, saying: “That is the right decision. Mauvaka had an opportunity to stop, but he has thrown himself into Ben White. It’s a yellow card. On a rugby field, you can’t do that.”
🗣️ “You can’t be flying across the ground and headbutting people in rugby.”
Should Peato Mauvaka have been sent off? 🤔#GuinnessM6N | #FRAvSCO pic.twitter.com/ou5v6Pm39p
— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) March 15, 2025
By saying Mauvaka’s lunge did not have a “high level of danger”, it is clear the refereeing team assessed the headbutt as if it happened during play, like a head-on-head collision.
Assessed by that standard, a yellow card would still be generous, but it is more understandable how they have reached that decision.
However, as it was an off-ball incident – with the whistle clearly blown before Mauvaka gets up – it counts as both retaliation, against the spirit of good sportsmanship and reckless, if not dangerous.
These are all grounds for a potential red card and when combined, certainly should have earned one.
Townsend said after the game: “Whether that had anything to do with the final result, who knows. France are a quality side and deserved champions. They were the better side in the end.
“But I think [the bunker review system] gives referees an out. We’ve taken decision-making away from referees. That’s the process we have now to speed up the game, but you don’t want to miss incidents that are clearly red cards.”
