Welsh fans slam “worst decision ever” after head-shot from Leinster star

Seamus Brady

Dragons left stunned as high-shot call goes against them

A moment that changed everything at Rodney Parade

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.

Ah rugby reffing is becoming a joke, “we have head contact, his arm is going forward to wrap and the player is falling, I don’t see foul play” #rugby Dragons v Leinster – Scott Penny pic.twitter.com/gzOnz1t63Y
— Joe Naughton (@JoeNaConnacht) November 28, 2025

What a farcical decision in the Leinster match after that Scott Penny tackle to the face

Should’ve been a yellow and penalty try.
No penalty given
— 2736 days since Leinster won a Champions Cup (@YearlyBottlers) November 28, 2025

Dragons captain and everyone watching rightly in shock as Scott Penny's high tackle is deemed not foul play

What on earth is going on with rugby at the moment?

No match is safe from a game-altering foul play error
— Will Slattery (@slatterywill) November 28, 2025

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.”

🐉@dragonsrfc head coach Filo Tiatia discusses the decision not to award Scott Penny a second yellow card and assesses his side's performance tonight

"I thought it was a yellow card" 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/L55J74VF1w
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) November 28, 2025

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

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.”