FERGUS MCFADDEN WAS extremely fortunate to escape a first-half dismissal in this evening’s Guinness Pro14 inter-pro against Ulster for an apparent headbutt on Sean Reidy.

The Leinster winger was involved in an off-the-ball altercation with Reidy as played continued in-field. before the touch judge brought the incident to the attention of referee George Clancy. 

McFadden was involved in an incident with Reidy. Source: Tommy Dickson/INPHO

A wide camera angle showed McFadden move his head in Reidy’s direction but after video recourse with his Television Match Official [TMO], Clancy was unable to determine where the point of contact was.

There were no other angles available to the officials.  

“From what I can see, blue leans in in an aggressive manner but can’t see exactly where he has made the connection,” Clancy said to his TMO, before going back to award a penalty against McFadden for “coming into contact with your opponent in an aggressive manner”.