Dragons boss Dean Ryan has blasted the sending off of Wales hopeful Taine Basham at Worcester Warriors in the European Challenge Cup.
Back-row forward Basham, who was in the Wales squad for the fixture with the Barbarians, was dismissed by referee Marius Mitrea for an illegal tip- tackle on Gareth Simpson.
Mitrea spoke to one of his assistant referees – there wasn’t a television match official at Sixways – before red carding Basham on the alleged grounds his victim had landed on his head and a shoulder.
Former England forward Ryan was unhappy at the decision, rapping: “I don’t think it was a red card.
“I think it was a rugby incident that could be dealt with by a penalty or at worst a yellow card.
“He (Mitrea) kept saying all day that he didn’t have a TMO, then why did he jump to a red card without a TMO to confirm it?” reported the South Wales Argus.
“It was nowhere near a full tip and with no TMO to reinforce that I just don’t understand it.
“There are rugby incidents in a collision sport and I don’t believe that was a situation that merited a red card.”
