Mauvaka cited for yellow card challenge on White

Peato Mauvaka, a France hooker, was charged with foul play after his off-the-field challenge on Ben White on Saturday in Paris.

The hosts won their first Six Nations championship since 2022 at Stade de France, winning 35-16.

After 20 minutes of a close first half, Mauvaka allegedly headbutted the grounded Scottish scrum-half, leaving many confused.

After the game, Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend said, “The decision was made to not refer to it as a red card.” That’s not really the definition of a non-tackle incident, I’m not sure.

It was obviously a non-tackle incident that occurred after the whistle. Therefore, the force involved shouldn’t have anything to do with head contact if it was intentional and made.

Ben White did nothing, so I feel sorry for him. I don’t know how it wasn’t raised to a red card because he was first pushed to the ground, which is not a rugby move, and then he collided with someone else.

On Thursday, Mauvaka will participate in a video conference-based independent disciplinary hearing.

A three-person panel will examine the case involving Rule 9.12 (A player is required not to… strike with any part of the arm, shoulder, head, or knee(s)).