Dragons left stunned as high-shot call goes against them

A routine Friday night in Newport turned into uproar as the Dragons’ clash with Leinster ended in controversy that Welsh fans are still seething over. With the Dragons trailing 17-10 late on, Levi Douglas burst for the line and took a clear high shot to the head from Scott Penny. Everyone inside Rodney Parade, and most watching on TV, expected a penalty and a yellow card.

Instead, referee Morne Ferreira shocked the stadium.

“Shoulder to the head, you’re telling me that’s not foul play?!”

As the TMO reviewed the incident, Dragons captain Angus O’Brien confronted the official, unable to believe what he was hearing. “Shoulder to the head, you’re telling me that’s not foul play?!” he repeated, as boos rang around the ground.

Ferreira insisted Penny was making a legal tackle and said Douglas’s height had dropped entering contact. “I know we have head contact but number seven is in a legal position… So we do have head contact but it's not foul play,” he explained.

Seconds later, the visitors broke away and RG Snyman finished in the corner to seal a 24–10 win. For Dragons supporters, it was insult added to injury.

Welsh hierarchy and pundits call for review

The reaction was instant. Dragons CEO Rhys Blumberg posted: “Anyone else really struggling with that one @dragonsrfc? Gutted and mystified.” Co-owner David Buttress was even more direct: “It was shoulder contact to head… that it is a penalty and yellow. Pretty simple.”

Premier Sports analyst Ian Madigan echoed the frustration. “For me, that is a minimum penalty and I would argue a yellow card… It is a clear penalty.”

Ashton Hewitt added: “That inconsistency and that decision sends the wrong message.”

Fans and coaches left furious

Supporters labelled it “quite incredible” and “the worst decision… in the history of rugby.” Dragons coach Filo Tiatia didn’t hold back either. “I thought it was a yellow card. There was clearly shoulder contact to the head… I feel for the players.”