Jamie Roberts Raises Fresh Safety Concerns After Lions’ Victory in Melbourne
Former Wales and British and Irish Lions centre Jamie Roberts has redirected attention away from the controversial clearout by Jac Morgan during the Lions’ dramatic second Test victory over Australia, highlighting instead a separate incident that he believes could pose a significant safety risk in the sport. Roberts’ intervention has triggered new debate about the rules surrounding try-scoring actions and their implications for players at all levels.
The Test, held in Melbourne, saw the Lions secure a thrilling series win with a last-minute try by Hugo Keenan, sparking jubilation among travelling fans. However, much post-match analysis has focused on incidents in the build-up, including Wales captain Jac Morgan’s robust ruck involvement with Wallabies flanker Carlo Tizzano. The rugby community, including notable ex-referees Nigel Owens and Wayne Barnes, has weighed in on the clearance’s legality, prompting Rugby Australia’s CEO to seek answers from World Rugby over player safety.
Roberts, rather than adding to the debate over Morgan’s challenge, has drawn the spotlight to Irish hooker Dan Sheehan’s swiftly taken try earlier in the match. Sheehan, seizing a quick tap penalty just metres from the Wallaby line, appeared to launch himself over defenders to ground the ball, igniting immediate protests from the Australian team and raising eyebrows among analysts watching at home.
This incident bore resemblance to earlier contentious moments in rugby, such as the disallowed effort by Blair Murray in a recent Six Nations fixture, where a leap over a tackle was penalised. TV pundit and former international Dan Biggar explained during post-match coverage that a distinction is made when the act of leaping is directly linked to an attempt to score, as opposed to merely avoiding a tackle in open play. “It’s just really smart play from Sheehan,” Biggar remarked, referencing the clarification given by referee Andrea Piardi. The key, Biggar added, was that Sheehan’s airborne act occurred in the act of scoring – a nuance which kept the try legal.
Yet, for Roberts, the episode has signalled deeper questions about safety and precedent. He took to social media to ask whether encouraging or allowing such aerial attempts might expose players, particularly young ones, to unnecessary risk if the act becomes commonplace at all levels of the game. “Having seen it be allowed at the top of the game, many (and kids) could now emulate a potentially very dangerous act. Be good to get clarification @WorldRugby,” Roberts wrote.
His post prompted a considered reply from Nigel Owens. The respected referee clarified that while an airborne attempt to score is permissible, a player may still be tackled mid-air. However, he cautioned that if a player’s leap is seen to be an attempt to avoid a tackle, rather than to score, the act could warrant a penalty. “A very tricky one,” Owens confessed, emphasising the fine line officials must tread when assessing such moments in real time.
Roberts, far from satisfied, pressed for more detailed guidance, questioning which action – jumping to avoid contact or diving to score – should take precedence under current law. He also queried whether this scenario might signal a tactical shift, with teams training powerful carriers to exploit this grey area close to the try line now that precedent appears established.
Owens’s response acknowledged the challenge, noting that while corner dives are common among wingers, Sheehan’s infield plunge was distinct and potentially more hazardous because of the proximity of tacklers. He conceded that credible arguments exist for both awarding a try or penalising such attempts, further underscoring the need for consistent interpretation.
Roberts’ intervention has reinvigorated discussion around safety, law clarity, and the unintended consequences that high-level precedents can set across club and youth rugby. As the dust settles on one of the Lions’ most gripping victories in recent years, it seems questions about the game’s evolution and its duty of care to players remain as relevant as ever.