Former Irish referee boss Owen Doyle has launched a scathing attack on Mike Adamson’s handling of the URC clash between Connacht and the Bulls.
The Scotsman controversially sent off Josh Murphy for an incident involving Jan-Hendrik Wessels.
Writing in his Irish Times column, Doyle accused Adamson of repeatedly underperforming at elite level, saying the referee has had a “sackful of opportunities” and should be replaced to give younger officials a chance.
The flashpoint came in the 18th minute when Wessels and Connacht flanker Murphy tangled at a ruck. As the pair went to ground, Murphy lashed out twice, prompting Adamson to blow his whistle.
Murphy immediately pleaded his case, alleging that Wessels had grabbed his genitals.
“He grabbed me here,” Murphy said, gesturing toward his nether region. “Sir, look at it back, he grabbed me here, I wouldn’t have done it otherwise.”
Adamson replied: “I understand what you’ve said, I will check that, but listen, what you did is unacceptable …”
Josh Murphy red card for Connacht against Blue Bulls.
Was there a bit of ball grabbing before? #URC pic.twitter.com/BasUkyolXD
— Darren (@SaffasRugby) October 20, 2025
Despite the allegation, and with TV angles failing to clearly confirm the claim, Adamson showed Murphy a 20-minute red card – a decision that Doyle says was “a mystery.”
“Testicle grabbing must be a straight red card without replacement, but the camera angles failed to confirm what Murphy had said,” Doyle wrote. “Of course, no blame attaches to the officials for the lack of intel, but I have to take issue with what happened next.”
According to Doyle, the referee’s own exchange with TMO Hollie Davidson – who he praised as a “much better official” – highlighted the inconsistency of the call.
“The TMO called Murphy’s action accurately: ‘I’m not seeing a high degree of danger.’ The referee repeated that, and also added that it met the yellow card threshold,” Doyle explained.
“Given the context, just a penalty would have been a fair call. But disbelief followed as Adamson handed Murphy a 20-minute red card. Where that colour came from is a mystery – the referee got his wires completely crossed.”
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Doyle’s latest critique adds to growing pressure on Adamson, who has been at the centre of several high-profile controversies in both the URC and European competitions.
Photo: Thomas Flinkow/Sportsfile via Getty Images
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