England flanker Tom Curry will not face any disciplinary action over an alleged physical confrontation with Argentina head coach Felipe Contepomi. The incident was said to have occurred in the stadium tunnel following a tense Autumn Nations Series match last month.
The Tunnel Altercation Allegations
The controversy stemmed from England's victory over Argentina at the Allianz Stadium on Sunday 23 November. After the final whistle, emotions ran high, particularly due to a late tackle by Curry on Pumas full-back Juan Cruz Mallia, which resulted in a serious knee injury for the Argentine player.
In the aftermath, Contepomi publicly accused Curry of being a "bully" and claimed the England player had used obscene language and forcibly shoved him during an exchange in the tunnel. These allegations prompted an official investigation by the tournament organiser.
Six Nations Rugby's Verdict
Six Nations Rugby, which operates the Quilter Nations Series, has now concluded its protracted review. The organisation examined all available footage, statements, and information related to the alleged event between the player and the coach.
In a released statement, they acknowledged the "highly charged end to the fixture" but decided that, based on the balance of evidence, no formal punishment would be issued to either Tom Curry or Felipe Contepomi.
However, the statement added a significant caveat: "This incident will remain on record and should a similar incident by either party occur in future tournaments, the record of this incident will be brought to the attention of the relevant Disciplinary Committee."
Character Defence and Moving Forward
England head coach Steve Borthwick had previously addressed the situation, stating he did not witness the tunnel incident himself. He strongly defended Curry's character in the days following the match.
"I think that anybody in this room who has had any contact with Tom Curry knows there's a character of a man," Borthwick said. "His character is impeccable. He's a fantastic team man, a very respectful guy."
The decision from Six Nations Rugby brings a formal end to the matter, allowing both teams to focus on their future fixtures without the cloud of potential sanctions hanging over the individuals involved.
