The stampede by rugby’s dinosaurs to defend that monstrous Courtney Lawes tackle against France as perfectly legal has been as alarming as the potentially back-breaking hit itself. The stamp by Steven Gerrard against Manchester United was no more than a petulant irritant which threatened no real damage but he was rightly sent off and roundly castigated by football at large. The rugby snobs are fond of saying that that football is a game for gentlemen played by thugs. Not so when seen in the context of Mr Gerrard’s words of contrition for a rare blood-rush late in his honourable career. England lock Courtney Lawes made a bonecrunching hit on France fly-half Jules Plisson . Lawes crumples Plisson in the aftermath of his monstrous tackle on the French fly half . Steven Gerrard stamped on Ander Herrera's right leg shortly after coming on at the start of the second half . Gerrard walks off the Anfield pitch in what was his last appearance against Man United in a Liverpool shirt . Jeff Powell’s piece has provoked much debate, including the above tweet from Lawes himself... They also like to say that rugby is a game for thugs played by gentlemen. Not with the malevolent Mr Lawes around. Gerrard sought forgiveness from his team-mates and fans for how his stupidity left it impossible for Liverpool to avoid Sunday’s critical Premier League defeat. There has been no apology from Lawes for a violent act 24 hours earlier which cast a pall over an otherwise heroic England victory, which came close to snatching an improbable Six Nations Championship. The general reaction at Anfield was concern that an idol may have dented his legacy a little in one of his last big matches in this country. At Twickenham even the low-swinging charioteers gasped in horror as Lawes came close to cutting in two French fly half Jules Plisson. Lawes has talked in the past about the beneficial impact for his teams of ‘the big hit.’ That offers a disturbing insight into his view of sport and the spirit in which it should be played. Perhaps he feels no need to explain himself this week because so many others were only too eager to do it for him. Referee Nigel Owens and his video-reviewing assistant agreed that the Lawes’ tackle was within the regulations. A livid Yoann Maestri pushed Lawes in the face and grapples with the England man following his challenge . Lawes and Maestri continue their disagreement on their feet as matters threaten to boil over . The majority of the rugby fraternity gave vent to their customary splutterings about this being ‘a man’s game.’ Not when you blind-side an opponent after he has passed the ball. The officials and the executives who are responsible for rugby were of a consensus that Lawes was already committed to the tackle so therefore he was not late enough to justify a red card. But did he really have to go through with it at such ferocious velocity? Was it vindictive or mere happenstance? Lawes is not telling us but if it had happened in a street outside the stadium police may well have been called to investigate if there were grounds for an assault charge. The rugby authorities – with the exception of the French who are asking for the on-the-spot not guilty verdict to be reviewed – are saying he did nothing wrong. Well, if that tackle was lawful then it explains why so many parents are discouraging their kids from playing this game. Herrera gestures and points at Gerrard as the Liverpool midfielder reacts following the challenge . Gerrard looks dejected after seeing red just 38 seconds after coming on for Liverpool at Anfield . If it is OK for a young man of average build like Plisson to be hit so hard by a giant that his head is shaken around like that of a rag doll before slamming against the ground, then what chance the campaign we at Sportsmail are leading for the reforms needed to prevent concussive head injuries? If the supply of youngsters dries up, rugby’s future will be bleak indeed. As for Lawes, he has past form. England internationals Charlie Hodgson and Owen Farrell and another French cap, Morgan Parra, are among a lengthening list of creative fly-halves who have been hammered – and in some cases injured – by trade-mark batterings from Lawes. The video of his brain-rattling of Plisson has gone viral and there is a danger of his hits becoming cult viewing. Now this is a contact game. The physical element is fundamental, while the strength and courage of the combatants are very much part of its appeal. But there has to be a limit. This is sport, not war. Football has a lot to learn from rugby about acceptance of decisions and respect for referees. But education is a two-way street. Come the crunches, football officials can take into account not only the force of the impact but the intent. Plisson continued to play after his mauling by Lawes and comes up against Luther Burrell here . England and France captains Chris Robshaw and Thierry Dusautoir listen to referee Nigel Owens . Was Lawes well-intentioned towards Plisson, who played even more poorly thereafter although going beyond the call of duty in carrying on? As the decision to let Lawes remain on the pitch came down he gave me the smug impression of someone who had got away with another one. No doubt it is asking too much for England to leave out the man they call their Enforcer. But they could come to regret not taking that decision if he does something similar in the World Cup later this year, the officials are less forgiving and they find themselves down to 14 men against the All Blacks. As power becomes ever more important than flair in rugby, so big men like Lawes bulk up even more muscle. And his own team-mates talk with increasing awe of how he targets the fly-halves he dwarfs. Legal or not Mr Lawes, try picking on someone your own size. Gareth Bale is reportedly determined to confound his enemies in Spain, win over his critics at Madrid and go on to prove himself a Real Galactico. All in preference to a £75 million transfer to Manchester United, Chelsea or Manchester City . Good for him. If he were to take even more money and run for home, it is unlikely greatness would ever become him. Gareth Bale is going through a fallow patch in his second year in the Spanish capital .
Lawes blind-sided the French fly half when the ball was gone . Referee Nigel Owens and his video-reviewing assistant agreed that the Lawes’ tackle was within the regulations . If it had happened in a street outside the stadium police may well have been called to investigate if there were grounds for an assault charge . Steven Gerrard stamped on Ander Herrera and was sent off. He subsequently apologised to his team-mates and fans . There has been no apology from Lawes for a violent act which cast a pall over an otherwise heroic England victory .