Four players from Perpignan, Ospreys and Benetton Treviso will appear before independent Disciplinary Committtes on Thursday in London following citings from Round 2.

Paul James, the Ospreys prop (No 1), is due to appear before an independent Disciplinary Committee as a result of a citing arising from the Round 2 Heineken Cup Pool 3 match against Perpignan at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday, 18 October, 2008.

The citing lodged by the Citing Commissioner for the match, Douglas Hunter (Scotland), is for an alleged strike with the arm against Perpignan player Marius Tincu (No 2) in contravention of Law 10.4 (a).

The independent Disciplinary Committee will be chaired by HHJ Jeff Blackett (England) and also comprise of Dr Barry O'Driscoll (Ireland) and Mr Robert Horner (England).

Law 10.4 (a) - Punching or striking: A player must not strike an opponent with the fist or arm, including the elbow, shoulder, head or knee(s).

Marius Tincu, the Perpignan hooker (No 2), is due to appear before an independent Disciplinary Committee as a result of a citing arising from the Round 2 Heineken Cup Pool 3 match against the Ospreys at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday, 18 October, 2008.

The citing lodged by the Citing Commissioner for the match, Douglas Hunter (Scotland), is for alleged contact with the eye / eye area of Ospreys player Paul James (No 1) in contravention of Law 10.4 (k).

The independent Disciplinary Committee will be chaired by HHJ Jeff Blackett (England) and also comprise of Dr Barry O'Driscoll (Ireland) and Mr Robert Horner (England).

Law 10.4 (k) - Acts contrary to good sportsmanship.

Guilhem Guirado, the Perpignan replacement (No 16), is due to appear before an independent Disciplinary Committee as a result of a citing arising from the Round 2 Heineken Cup Pool 3 match against the Ospreys at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday, 18 October, 2008.

The citing lodged by the Citing Commissioner for the match, Douglas Hunter (Scotland), is for alleged contact with the eye / eye area of Ospreys player Ian Gough (No 18) in contravention of Law 10.4 (k).

The independent Disciplinary Committee will be chaired by HHJ Jeff Blackett (England) and also comprise of Dr Barry O'Driscoll (Ireland) and Mr Robert Horner (England).

Law 10.4 (k) - Acts contrary to good sportsmanship.

Benjamin de Jager, the Benetton Treviso centre (No 13), is due to appear before an independent Disciplinary Committee as a result of a citing arising from the Round 2 Heineken Cup Pool 3 match against Leicester Tigers at Stadio Comunale di Monigo on Saturday, 18 October, 2008.

The citing lodged by the Citing Commissioner for the match, Geraint Edwards (Wales), is for an alleged strike with his head of Leicester Tigers player Marco Wentzel (No 4) in contravention of Law 10.4 (a).

The independent Disciplinary Committee will be chaired by HHJ Jeff Blackett (England) and also comprise of Dr Barry O'Driscoll (Ireland) and Mr Robert Horner (England).

Law 10.4 (a) - Punching or striking: A player must not strike an opponent with the fist or arm, including the elbow, shoulder, head or knee(s).

NOTES
(i) Citing Commissioner
a) Citing Commissioners will be appointed by ERC for all Heineken Cup and all televised European Challenge Cup matches and shall be entitled to cite a Player for any act or acts of Foul Play that in the Citing Commissioner's opinion warranted a citing.
b) For such matches Clubs will not have the power to cite a player but may refer incidents to the Citing Commissioner within 24 hours of the conclusion of the match.
c) The Citing Commissioner will have 50 hours from the start of the game to make a citing and the determination of the Citing Commissioner will be final and binding. In exceptional circumstances this deadline can be extended.
d) Should the Citing Commissioner decide there is a case to answer he will notify the Disciplinary Officer and the Disciplinary Officer will then bring a charge against the cited player.
e) This case will then proceed to a disciplinary hearing.

(ii) Independent Disciplinary Committee
a) Citings will be heard by an independent Disciplinary Committee as soon as is practicable. Until the hearing a cited player is eligible to play in ERC tournaments
b) The independent Disciplinary Committee is chosen by the Chairman of the independent Disciplinary Panel, Professor Lorne Crerar.
c) The ERC Disciplinary Officer, Roger O'Connor, presents the case against the player
d) Both parties to the hearing (ERC and the player) have the right to appeal decisions of the independent Disciplinary Committee. Appeals must be lodged within 72 hours of receiving the full written decision from the Chairman of the independent Disciplinary Committee
e) The full written decision of the independent Disciplinary Committee will be available on www.ercrugby.com/discipline when the disciplinary process is complete

Benjamin De Jaeger, Guilhem Guirado, Marius Tincu et Paul James ont été cités à comparaître devant la Commission Indépendante de Discipline, jeudi 23 octobre 2008 à Londres.