Video evidence fingers Dawson
Geordan Murphy lay prone on the pitch, required attention for about 90 seconds and when he did manage to scramble to his feet, he hobbled back to his position, clutching the small of his back. What Murphy will not have seen is the incensed manner in which his team-mates reacted to the incident that brought about his injury.
Centre Leon Lloyd was castigated in one English newspaper for appearing to throw a punch during the pushing and shoving that surrounded the Irish international's injury. Watching Saturday's Zurich Premiership clash between Northampton and Leicester at Franklin's Gardens on Sky Sports, this column was hoping the myriad cameras Sky bring for live broadcasts would provide an insight into the incident.
Half-time arrived and back in the studio, sure enough and to their credit given the culprit, the panel including Michael Lynagh and Phil de Glanville provided a voice-over for the footage gleaned from another camera, not previously available to the viewers. Murphy's injury was a mystery no longer. The Irishman took an inside pass and hurtled towards several Northampton tacklers. Grounded he attempted to lay back the ball.
Northampton and England international scrumhalf Matt Dawson came from out of picture and swung a knee into the back of the prostrate Murphy. Dawson wasn't trying to free/play/rescue the ball. It was a cheap shot, a blatant action to try to nobble one of the opposition's better players. It made the reaction of some of Murphy's team-mates understandable.
It was interesting that Lloyd, with whom Murphy is good friends, and Australian player/backs coach Pat Howard took grave exception. Dawson received no censure from any officials but as the Sky studio panel pointed out, he should not escape a post-game inquisition; the video evidence is damning.
Murphy hobbled about until half-time but did not come out for the second half. He was replaced by Glen Gelderbloom. Dawson was not finished yet. In the second half he produced a fingers-in-the-face high tackle on Howard that warranted a minimum of 10 minutes in the sin bin.
Three English Sunday newspapers failed to mention the high tackle, nor the Murphy incident. Leicester captain Martin Johnson received a five-week ban for plunging his knees into Saracens outhalf Duncan McRae. Dawson deserves at least as much.
It will be instructive to note if Leicester cite the England scrumhalf. If they do, Dawson might be the only one hoping that the foot-and-mouth crisis continues for some time to come.
