England Under-20 flanker Seb Kelly was sent off for a headbutt as his team’s hopes of regaining the age-grade world title ended in semi-final defeat in Tbilisi, Georgia.<\/p>\n
England had made a strong start against defending champions South Africa, with prop Ollie Streeter and fly-half Hugh Shields’ tries contributing to a 17-7 lead, when Kelly lunged at Luan Giliomee on the floor after the whistle, butting the ‘Baby Boks” full-back in the face.<\/p>\n
Referee Kevin Bralley reviewed the incident on the advice of his television match official and issued a straight red card, reducing England to 14 players for the rest of the game.<\/p>\n
“That is inexcusable from Seb Kelly, you can’t do that,” said former England player Tom May, who was commentating on the match for Premier Sports.<\/p>\n
“Yes, be tough, be physical, but that is violent.”<\/p>\n
England reached half-time with a 20-12 lead, but were overwhelmed in the second half, with South Africa scoring five tries in 20 minutes after the interval to run out 53-37 victors.<\/p>\n
Kelly’s headbutt will be assessed by a foul play review committee on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
The committee will propose a punishment, which Kelly can either accept, or put his case forward in a more in-depth hearing.<\/p>\n
Italy second row Niccolo Cannone was banned for four matches for making head-to-head contact with New Zealand’s Cam Roigard in a similar incident in the All Blacks’ 47-17 win on Saturday.<\/p>\n
However, Kelly’s headbutt appeared to involve greater force and intent. South Africa second row Bakkies Botha was banned for nine weeks back in 2010,<\/a> when he drove his head into that of New Zealand’s Jimmy Cowan while the pair were on the floor.<\/p>\n England will take on New Zealand in Saturday’s third-place play-off, with South Africa facing France to decide the annual tournament’s champions.<\/p>\n