Non issue, hand off to the face is totally normal and happens in every game. Forearm/elbow is different; Liam Watts got sent off for doing that against Mickey Mac a few years back.

I think there has to be a differentiation between a ball carrier 'getting his bumpers up' to protect himself and what we deem to be a penalty (or more!) for leading with the forearm or elbow. The former happens every game and is bound to lead to some element of contact with the head of the defender on occasion. Just like plenty of legitimate tackles involve a degree of contact with the head but are left alone. The game is played in shades of grey, not black and white. As long as we're getting the stand-outs (ie that McShane one last year) then it's alright. If you go the other way you either get a ton of penalties or the ball carriers start surrendering to avoid getting smashed into next week.

Some of the penalties now being given for a high tackle are anything but a high tackle!

turning into rugby union

...where any incidental contact above the shoulder can result in a yellow card. They seem very relaxed about head injuries in contested scrums and driving mauls, though.

yep, watched england last week after our awesome GF game the man of the match who was a "monster" all game made 7 tackles and 7 carries, Tony Clubb should go to union