Tom Curry: England flanker escapes disciplinary action for Felipe Contepomi tunnel altercation after Argentina win
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/10/22/image-068d0790-e404-47d7-bb28-adf4a3f67059-68-310-310.png)
Published 05/12/2025 at 14:55 GMT
England flanker Tom Curry will face no disciplinary action following a tunnel altercation with Argentina head coach Felipe Contepomi. Six Nations Rugby has cleared both Curry and Contepomi, although the incident has been officially recorded. The confrontation occurred shortly after Curry's tackle that left Juan Cruz Mallia injured, sparking the flashpoint. Contepomi had labelled Curry a "bully".
‘I don’t buy that’ - Care challenges Contepomi’s ‘bully’ claim about England flanker Curry
Video credit: TNT Sports
England and Sale flanker Tom Curry will not face any retrospective disciplinary measures following the reported tunnel clash with Argentina head coach Felipe Contepomi in the Quilter Nations Series last month.
The incident came after Steve Borthwick side's narrow 27-23 victory at Allianz Stadium on November 23, when Argentina submitted an official complaint against Curry.
Contepomi alleged that the British and Irish Lions back rower shoved him and told him to "f*** off" in the tunnel, branding Curry a "bully".
Six Nations Rugby, which oversees the autumn internationals and its disciplinary protocols, reviewed England's account of the episode and ultimately cleared both parties of wrongdoing.
"On considering all factors leading into and beyond the incident, based on the balance of information, and acknowledging a highly-charged end to the fixture, no formal sanction will be issued to either party," a Six Nations statement read.
"However, this incident will remain on record, and should a similar incident occur in future tournaments, the record of this incident will be brought to the attention of the relevant Disciplinary Committee."
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/12/05/image-d495bda7-5b59-441b-a454-3c30f0734d96-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Tom Curry tackles Juan Cruz Mallia during England's narrow win
Image credit: Getty Images
The confrontation followed Curry's late tackle on Juan Cruz Mallia, which left the Argentina full-back with a serious ACL knee injury.
The challenge was penalised but not referred to the television match official, and Curry avoided a citing as it did not meet the threshold for a red card.
With Mallia sidelined, The Pumas had to finish the tense encounter with 14 men as England secured a fourth consecutive Quilter Nations Series win.
- Etzebeth banned for 12 weeks for intentional eye gouge on Mann
- England head coach Borthwick looking to emulate tournament pressure cooker
- England in pool with Wales, Ireland to meet Scotland, New Zealand to face Australia - RWC 2027
Tensions boiled over after the final whistle, culminating in the tunnel altercation with Curry.
"Curry, let me say, it is probably part of his nature to bully people. He came into the tunnel and he gave me a little smack. He is 27, strong. I am 48," Contepomi told reporters in his post-match press conference having left the coaching box to protest the tackle.
"I was standing there. He was coming to say hi to one of our coaches, but we were upset because he was reckless and broke our player's knee.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/11/23/image-203f6172-f4d4-4239-9f7e-479705b728e8-85-2560-1440.png)
Highlights: England survive Argentina fightback to cap off incredible autumn
Video credit: TNT Sports
"When he came I said, 'mate, you broke his knee', he said, 'f**k off' and pushed me. Maybe that's the way he is. I don't know him. I'm not happy with the situation.
"After breaking someone's knee you need to be at least humble enough and respectful to say, 'sorry I did something wrong'. But he went the opposite.
"Maybe it's his way of being a bully. If we want bullies in this game, good on them. I know it's rugby, but if we don't look after each other in rugby, it could be dangerous."
In response, former England scrum-half Danny Care, reporting for TNT Sports at Twickenham, suggested Contepomi's reaction was fuelled by frustration following his team's narrow loss.
"The situation with Juan Cruz Mallia being injured by Tom Curry's tackle towards the end of England v Argentina - it's just such an unfortunate injury," Care wrote.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/11/23/image-5ef36dda-3457-4e05-bc43-8d123f78c4ab-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Earl hails impact of PREM after Ojomoh stars for England
Video credit: TNT Sports
"You see hundreds of tackles like that every game. Obviously, Tom got it slightly late. For me, it was a penalty, and only a penalty. I didn't see it as anything more than that.
"And then all the stuff that has come out afterwards, Felipe Contepomi calling him a bully, and him pushing Contepomi in the tunnel - I don't buy that.
"I can understand Contepomi's point of view that his team have now gone down to 14, his player's got injured, it turns out to be a bad injury, which unfortunately is the outcome. But I'd imagine a lot of his frustrations were probably that his team didn't go on and win the game when they had a line-out seven meters out to win it, with all that momentum.
"Knowing Curry like I do, he's a lovely lad, a great lad off the pitch, leaves everything on the pitch, he's a great person off it. I've seen Tom Curry melt people in tackles when he wants to hit them hard. That wasn't one of those."
Watch and stream the Gallagher PREM, Quilter Nations Series and Premiership Women's Rugby on TNT Sports and discovery+
Related Topics
Thoughts?
Advertisement
Advertisement