The URC returned on Friday evening after a break for the November internationals, but the ongoing discourse about consistency in rugby refereeing has only gotten louder in the wake of Leinster’s game against the Dragons at Rodney Parade.

On the whole, it was another uninspiring performance from Leinster, who gave away 18 penalties and received three yellow cards. However this game will be remembered for a decision not to give the reigning URC champions a fourth yellow card.

The Dragons were down seven in the 75th minute and encamped near the Leinster tryline. As Dragons second row Levi Douglas attempted to reach the tryline, Leinster flanker Scott Penny attempted a tackle but his bicep ended up making clear contact with the head of the Dragons player.

It wasn’t the only questionable attempt at tackling in the sequence, as Leinster lock Brian Deeny dove into Douglas’s path without any seeming attempt to wrap his arms.

Remarkably, South African referee Morne Ferreira reviewed the incident after being alerted by his TMO and adjudged that no foul play had occurred after viewing numerous replays.

Dragons captain Angus O’Brien was incensed.

“Shoulder to the head, you’re telling me that’s not foul play?” he said to Ferreira numerous times.

Ferreira acknowledged there was head contact from Penny but explained why he didn’t think there was any foul play.

“I know we have head contact but number seven is in a legal position, he goes to wrap and then there are multiple other dynamics that change the tackle dynamic. So we do have head contact but it’s not foul play.”

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Penny had already been sin-binned in the first half and would have been sent off had he received a yellow card for the tackle.

Leinster would weather the storm, get a fourth try and a bonus point and win the match 24-10.

You can watch the sequence below.

I’m sitting here in Dublin, with Leinster jerseys in the house, and I cannot for the life of me see how this is “no foul play”.

This was YC, minimum. No complaints, game moves on.

To crowbar this into “no foul play” is wilful blindness to match the SFM non-card on Saturday. pic.twitter.com/7rsYpCXgHX

— Andy McGeady (@andymcgeady) November 28, 2025

Dragons CEO Rhys Blumberg tweeted he was mystified by the decision.

Anyone else really struggling with that one @dragonsrfc ? Gutted and mystified.

Great effort from the lads and deserved more. 🐉

— Rhys Blumberg (@rhysblumberg) November 28, 2025

Speaking after the game to Premier Sports, Dragons head coach Filo Tiatia was measured in his comments but stated he thought the tackle merited a yellow card.

I thought it was a yellow card. There was clearly shoulder contact to the head. I guess the referee in the middle Morne thought differently. It was one of those contacts of the game where it was pretty close. There was seven points [in it]…

I’m disappointed for the players. It has a hard fought game. That’s all I have to just around the decision. I saw it differently.

Speaking on Premier Sports, former Leinster great Ian Madigan was very strong on the incident.

This is such a frustration we have in the game, the inconsistency we’re seeing around high tackles, head shots, yellow cards, red cards. For me, that is a minimum penalty and I would argue a yellow card. The law says it is on the defending player to avoid head contact. There is force behind that as well. There is head contact and it is clear. It is a clear penalty.”

Leinster host Harlequins in the Champions Cup next week and we could see Rieko Ioane make his debut in blue. They will be desperate for a big performance after another poor outing.

The sport itself badly needs some consistent refereeing when it comes to these challenges.

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