VIDEO: Welsh lock escapes punishment after shot to Faf's head

SPOTLIGHT: Welsh lock Jake Ball has luckily escaped any on-field sanction after a brutal clothesline tackle on Springbok scrumhalf Faf De Klerk in Sale’s Champions Cup fixture against Scarlets.

The incident was incredibly puzzling as the tackle was reviewed for potentially being offside, but the TMO and match referee failed to register De Klerk getting clocked directly to the head by the swinging arm and shoulder area of Ball.

Sale’s scrumhalf was preparing to launch a box kick with his hands placed on the ball when the Scarlets big man decided to launch himself from the side of the ruck to sack the Springbok.

Ball’s dangerous trajectory towards the crouched De Klerk was only going to end one way, with his massive frame unable to get low enough to perform a legal tackle. As a result, De Klerk was clobbered high by the shoulder/forearm of Ball and collapsed dangerously under the weight of the lock.

The crushing clothesline tackle could have also led to a serious leg injury as De Klerk’s body awkwardly folded under the pressure.

De Klerk was left visibly confused afterwards, with multiple teammates pleading with the touch official to have the tackle reviewed.

Former England international Andy Goode was quick to condemn the work of the officiating team online, asking "how about the shoulder to the head?!".

The incident was not the first time that De Klerk has had a run-in with the Welsh lock, with Ball taking exception to the scrumhalf during the 2019 World Cup semifinal with the two coming face-to-face during an argument.

De Klerk recently explained in an interview with TheXV.rugby that he likes to bait the big men in the game as they no longer can do anything about it.

"Now, the big boys can’t really do anything – if they do, they are going to get a card, so trying to wind them up is more effective," he said.

However, Ball’s dangerous tackle on De Klerk was deserving of punishment, with many fans calling for a red card. The fact that it was left unsanctioned raised many eyebrows.

At the time of the tackle, Sale Sharks were already ahead by 30-0 with the game pretty much out of distance for Scarlets to win. The final scoreline of 57-14 reflected Sale’s dominance.

The win secured Sale’s first quarterfinal trip in the Champions Cup in 15 years, booking a matchup with La Rochelle in the round of eight.

Sale and reigning champions Exeter are the two last English clubs in the running for a European Crown.

By Sam Smith (@RugbyPass)