During a hard-fought 27-23 victory for England national rugby union team over Argentina national rugby union team at Twickenham Stadium, strong post-match tension erupted around Tom Curry—and his teammate Henry Slade has stepped up to come to his defence.
The Incident
Late in the match—around the 75th minute—Argentina full-back Juan Cruz Mallía was tackled by Curry after launching a clearance kick. Argentina subsequently confirmed that Mallía sustained a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee. RugbyPass+2Sky Sports+2
Argentina head coach Felipe Contepomi labelled the tackle “reckless” and questioned why it did not result in a red card. ESPN.com+1
Adding fuel to the fire, Contepomi alleges that Curry confronted him in the tunnel after the match: he claims Curry pushed him and used abusive language, describing Curry as “the furthest thing from a bully I have ever seen” in … well, that quote is actually the one Slade used in defending Curry. But Contepomi called Curry a “bully” and said he was “smacked” and told to “f*** off” by Curry. Sky Sports+1
In response, Rugby Football Union (RFU) and the competition organisers, Six Nations Rugby, have asked England to provide CCTV footage of the tunnel and submit a formal explanation as they consider whether to open a formal inquiry. The Guardian+1
Why This Matters
- Player safety: A late tackle causing major injury raises critical questions about intent, legality and how referees and TMO handle such incidents.
- Sporting decorum: Post-match behaviour—especially involving coaches and non-playing staff in tunnel confrontations—touches on the culture and image of rugby.
- Character debate: Curry’s reputation is under scrutiny. Slade’s defence offers one side, while Contepomi’s public remarks present another.
- Disciplinary precedent: How the RFU/Six Nations handle the case will send signals about tolerance for heated behaviour and off-field conflict.
Slade’s Defence
Henry Slade, who knows Curry well as a teammate, offered a contrasting view:
“He’s the furthest thing from a bully I have ever seen. He’s such a genuine, genuine guy who cares a lot about everyone.”
That quote counters the bully label directly and reinforces a message of respect and team culture around Curry.
What Happens Next
- England must submit footage and a statement to Six Nations by the stated deadline. An investigation may follow if demonstrated facts suggest misconduct. Sky Sports
- Curry may face a citing or internal disciplinary process depending on the outcome.
- Mallía’s injury prognosis could affect Argentina’s future selection and the wider debate about late contact and injury risk in elite rugby.
The Take-Away
Rugby thrives on intensity and physicality, but this episode may illustrate where boundaries must be reinforced: legality of contact, accountability for post-match behaviour, and how the sport protects its values. Curry remains a major figure in English rugby, but the incident pushes questions around aggression, responsibility, and perception to the fore.
