Sports · Other Sports · 4 hrs ago
Hollie Davidson sends off Toulouse's Rodrigue Neti with permanent red card
Referee Hollie Davidson gave Toulouse's Rodrigue Neti a permanent red card early in their Champions Cup match against Exeter.
Neti's shoulder hit Exeter player Ross Vintcent in the head, and Davidson ruled there were no mitigating circumstances.
A permanent red card means Toulouse had to play with 14 players for the rest of the match.
Davidson reviewed the footage with her officials and explained why she chose a permanent dismissal rather than referring the decision for further review.
The call drew praise from rugby fans and commentators, who said dangerous tackles like this should be removed from the game.
Toulouse still beat Exeter 43-40, after Exeter missed a late penalty that could have tied the score.
Hollie Davidson sent Toulouse prop Rodrigue Neti off with a permanent red card for a dangerous tackle on Exeter’s Ross Vintcent.
The incident happened in the 16th minute of the Champions Cup match at Toulouse’s Stadium.
Davidson reviewed the footage and said there were no mitigating circumstances.
Toulouse played the remaining 65 minutes with 14 players but came back to win 43-40.
Rugby fans and commentators praised Davidson’s decision and explanation.
- Who
- Referee Hollie Davidson sent off Toulouse prop Rodrigue Neti after his tackle on Exeter’s Ross Vintcent.
- What
- Neti received a permanent red card for direct contact with Vintcent’s head.
- When
- In the 16th minute of the match on 18 October 2026.
- Where
- Toulouse’s Stadium, during a Champions Cup match between Toulouse and Exeter.
- Why
- Davidson judged the tackle dangerous and found no mitigating circumstances.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Davidson reviewed the tackle on Vintcent and gave Neti a permanent red card.
Zack Wimbush scored for Exeter following Neti’s dismissal.
Davidson gave Exeter’s Ben Hammersley a yellow card for a front-on-front collision, according to Rugbyrama.
Toulouse beat Exeter 43-40 after Henry Slade missed a last-minute penalty to tie the score.
- Referee
- Hollie Davidson
- Player sent off
- Rodrigue Neti, Toulouse prop
- Opponent tackled
- Ross Vintcent of Exeter
- Card
- Permanent red card
- Final score
- Toulouse 43-40 Exeter
- Match venue
- Stadium de Toulouse
4 sources
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What people are saying
It's fist down and shoulder tucked. Therefore, we apply no mitigation to our process. We have a player who is upright that makes direct contact [to the head] with a tucked arm and high degree of danger. It is a permanent red card.
As Hollie Davidson explained it, Neti is always illegal here. That's the type of tackle we want to get out of rugby. It's really dangerous.
The more you look at the replay, the worse it gets. That has to be taken out of the game. It is a clear red card.
Lovely to see a referee actually using the red card properly.
Posts on X
Malgré le carton rouge de Rodrigue Neti dès la 16e minute, le Stade toulousain, mené à la pause, a fini par renverser une valeureuse équipe d'Exeter.
A massive turning point in Toulouse as Rodrigue Neti is sent off! 🟥 Exeter Chiefs now have a big opportunity 👀 #InvestecChampionsCup
Toulouse will play the rest of the game (65 mins) with 14 men! Crazy stuff from Neti🤦🏼♂️ Well done to Hollie Davidson calling it as it is! No mitigation and no being swayed from the home crowd 🛑 #TLSvEXE #ChampionsCup #Rugby