Irish fans slam suspension for prop set to miss Six Nations games

"It is not an illegal act at the start, where he starts."

The tight head tackled the leg of Alex Nankivell at a ruck, with the Munster centre forced off the field, and is still out with a hamstring issue.

While a red card was a fair call, considering O'Toole did target Nankivell's lower limbs, it was not a malicious act.

The ruck continues to be the messiest area in the game, where players must fight tooth and nail, in dangerous positions, to secure possession.

"So I can kind of understand that, but it is difficult because it is not an illegal act at the start, where he starts."

Earlier in the season, Stade Francais saw two players sent off during their clash with Munster at Thomond Park. Both acts certainly had more malicious intent than O'Toole's tackle, but the players received bans of two and three weeks.

As such, fans have voiced their displeasure at the harsh suspension given to O'Toole, which will also see him miss the first two games of the Six Nations.

6 weeks seems harsh.

— Old Sulians RFC (@Oldsuliansrfc) January 6, 2025

6 weeks? Is this a joke? Should instantly appeal that

— ㅤ (@BAShelley) January 6, 2025

That’s tough considering what Stade players got

— Robert G (@Robrt_Irl) January 6, 2025

6 weeks is an awful long time. O’toole would have had a perfect clear out if he didn’t join simultaneously with Warwick & as a result had his direction change.

— Alan.Wilkinson (@wilkin24160) January 6, 2025