When the final whistle blew at Twickenham's Allianz Stadium on Sunday, November 12, 2023, England celebrated a narrow 27-23 win over Argentina in the Autumn Nations Series. But what followed in the dimly lit tunnel behind the home dressing room turned a hard-fought match into a flashpoint of controversy — and now, a formal disciplinary case. Argentina has lodged an official complaint against Tom Curry, the 25-year-old England flanker, accusing him of both a reckless tackle that ended Juan Cruz Mallia’s season and a physical confrontation with head coach Dr. Felipe Contepomi after the final whistle.
The Tackle That Changed Everything
The incident began in the 75th minute. With Argentina down 24-23 and pushing for a match-winning try, Curry, known for his relentless breakdown work, made a late, high tackle on Mallia, the 27-year-old Toulouse full-back who had been a key spark in Argentina’s attacking play. The contact came after Mallia had already released the ball. Referees awarded a penalty — but no red card, and no TMO review. Argentina’s coaching staff were stunned. "We had two weeks ago a decision that it was deemed because of the consequence," Contepomi said. "So if that’s the criteria, I can’t understand how we ended up playing with 14."
Mallia, who has earned 33 caps since his 2018 debut, was helped off the field. Argentina confirmed on Monday he suffered a torn ACL — a season-ending injury requiring 6 to 9 months of recovery. For a player who was emerging as one of Argentina’s most dynamic backline options, the blow is devastating. "It wasn’t just a bad tackle," said one Argentina insider. "It was the timing, the height, the lack of care. And then nothing happened."
The Tunnel Confrontation
What happened next is even more explosive. According to Contepomi, who earned 87 caps as a player for Argentina between 1996 and 2007, Curry approached him in the tunnel and "gave me a little smack" on the chest. "I’m 48," Contepomi said, his voice trembling slightly in a post-match interview. "Probably it’s part of his nature to bully people."
England’s head coach, Steve Borthwick, immediately pushed back. "I didn’t see it. I wasn’t there. But I know Tom Curry. His character is impeccable, unquestionable," Borthwick said. "Calling him a bully? That’s not who he is."
England captain Maro Itoje, a veteran of 50 Tests, offered a more measured take: "Post-game emotions fly high. You see that in every game — club, international, even training. That’s rugby." But even Itoje didn’t deny the gravity of the situation. "If there was contact in the tunnel, that’s not rugby. That’s unacceptable."
Contepomi insists the entire exchange was captured on security footage. He named Richard Hill, England’s team manager and former international, as a witness. The Rugby Football Union (RFU) confirmed it will cooperate fully with any investigation and is prepared to hand over footage.
What Happens Now?
The case now sits with Six Nations Rugby Limited, headquartered in Dublin, Ireland. Though this was an Autumn Nations Series match, the disciplinary authority for such incidents involving Six Nations teams falls under their purview. England must submit their version of events before a formal investigation can begin.
Potential outcomes range from a formal warning to a suspension — though Curry has not been cited for the tackle, and no red card was issued, the tunnel incident is a separate matter. Under World Rugby’s disciplinary code, any physical contact between players and coaching staff outside of play is considered a serious breach. A suspension, even for one match, would be unprecedented for an England player in this context.
Why This Matters
This isn’t just about one tackle or one shove. It’s about the culture of rugby. The sport prides itself on post-match handshakes and mutual respect — even in the fiercest rivalries. When a coach says a player is a "bully," and a player’s actions lead to a career-threatening injury, the conversation shifts from sport to safety, accountability, and leadership.
Contepomi’s frustration echoes a broader issue: inconsistent application of the laws. Two weeks prior, he referenced another controversial decision — one that Argentina felt was similarly mishandled. "If we’re going to use consequences as the standard," he said, "then why didn’t this get reviewed?"
For Mallia, the road ahead is long. For Curry, the spotlight is unrelenting. And for rugby, this moment forces a reckoning: Is the game protecting its players — and its people — the way it should?
What’s Next?
England and Argentina are now exchanging official correspondence. The RFU has 72 hours to submit its formal response. Six Nations officials will then decide whether to convene a disciplinary panel. If they do, the hearing could take place before the Six Nations kicks off in February 2024.
Curry, who has 43 England caps and played on the 2021 British and Irish Lions tour, has yet to speak publicly. His silence speaks volumes. Will he address it? Will he apologize? Or will this become a defining moment — not for his skill, but for his conduct?
One thing is certain: rugby won’t forget this weekend. Not the tackle. Not the injury. Not the shove in the tunnel. And certainly not the question it leaves behind: Who’s really in charge of the game’s soul?
Frequently Asked Questions
Why wasn’t Tom Curry sent off for the tackle on Juan Cruz Mallia?
The referee deemed the tackle worthy of a penalty but not a red card under World Rugby’s criteria, which require clear intent to injure or a high degree of danger. While the tackle was late and caused a season-ending ACL injury, officials did not believe it met the threshold for a sending-off. No TMO review was triggered, and the RFU confirmed Curry avoided a citing because the offense didn’t meet the required standard for disciplinary action under the red card protocol.
What could happen to Tom Curry if the tunnel incident is proven?
If evidence confirms Curry made physical contact with Dr. Felipe Contepomi, he could face a suspension ranging from one to four matches under World Rugby’s Regulation 17, which prohibits physical conduct toward match officials or team personnel. A one-match ban would mean missing England’s opening Six Nations fixture in February 2024. This would be a rare and significant sanction for an England international in non-playing conduct.
How serious is Juan Cruz Mallia’s injury?
Mallia suffered a complete tear of his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), which typically requires surgical reconstruction and 6 to 9 months of rehabilitation. He will miss the remainder of the 2023-24 club season with Toulouse and is unlikely to return before mid-2024. This is a devastating blow for Argentina, as Mallia had been one of their most consistent full-backs since his 2018 debut, known for his speed and counter-attacking ability.
Why is Six Nations Rugby Limited handling this instead of World Rugby?
Although this was an Autumn Nations Series match, both England and Argentina are core members of the Six Nations Championship. Under the tournament’s disciplinary framework, incidents involving participating teams — even outside the Six Nations window — fall under Six Nations Rugby Limited’s jurisdiction. World Rugby typically only intervenes in global events like the Rugby World Cup or when a case has broader international implications.
Has something like this happened before in rugby?
Yes. In 2019, Wales’ coach Warren Gatland was fined for verbal abuse of a referee after a Six Nations match. In 2022, Ireland’s captain Johnny Sexton was cited for a post-match confrontation with an opponent — though no physical contact was involved. Physical altercations between players and coaches in tunnels are extremely rare. The last similar case involving a player and coach was in 2017, when a South African player received a three-week ban for shoving an assistant coach during a Super Rugby match.
Will this affect England’s Six Nations campaign?
If Curry is suspended, England loses one of their most dynamic open-side flankers — a player who averages over 15 tackles and 8 clean breaks per match. His absence could weaken their breakdown pressure and open up space for opponents. But beyond the tactical impact, the distraction could ripple through the squad. Borthwick has called the allegations "unfounded," but the narrative of a "bully" in the team may linger, especially if footage confirms the tunnel incident.