published on behalf of an independent Disciplinary Committee Appeal Committee Decision – Jerome Kaino An independent Appeal Committee has refused an appeal by the Toulouse player, Jerome Kaino, against the five-week suspension imposed on him by an independent Disciplinary Committee after he was cited for foul play during his club's Heineken Champions Cup, Round 1 match against Bath Rugby. At the initial Disciplinary Hearing, the citing complaint was upheld as it was determined that Kaino had struck the Bath Rugby centre, Jamie Roberts, with his shoulder in the 39^th minute of the match in contravention of Law 9.12. In Paris today (Thursday, 25 October), the independent Appeal Committee consisting of Kathrine Mackie (Scotland) Chair, Frank Hadden (Scotland) and Martyn Wood (England), reviewed the finding of foul play that had warranted a red card as well as the level of sanction. The Committee heard submissions from Kaino, from the Toulouse legal representative, Neil Robertson, from the Toulouse director, René Bouscatel, from the Toulouse Head Coach, Ugo Mola, and from the EPCR Disciplinary Officer, Liam McTiernan. The Committee was not satisfied that the decision taken at the initial Disciplinary Hearing had been in error and decided to dismiss the appeal. Therefore, Kaino’s suspension remains in place and he is free to play on Monday, 3 December 2018. Appeal Committee Decision – Lucas Pointud An independent Appeal Committee has refused an appeal by the Toulouse player, Lucas Pointud, against the four-week suspension imposed on him by an independent Disciplinary Committee after he was cited for foul play during his club's Heineken Champions Cup, Round 1 match against Bath Rugby. At the initial Disciplinary Hearing, the citing complaint was upheld as it was determined that Pointud had struck the Bath Rugby prop, Nathan Catt, with his shoulder in the 50^th minute of the match in contravention of Law 9.12. In Paris today (Thursday, 25 October), the independent Appeal Committee consisting of Kathrine Mackie (Scotland) Chair, Frank Hadden (Scotland) and Martyn Wood (England), reviewed the finding of foul play that had warranted a red card as well as the level of sanction. The Committee heard submissions from Pointud, from the Toulouse legal representative, Neil Robertson, from the Toulouse director, René Bouscatel, from the Toulouse Head Coach, Ugo Mola, and from the EPCR Disciplinary Officer, Liam McTiernan. The Committee was not satisfied that the decision taken at the initial Disciplinary Hearing had been in error and decided to dismiss the appeal. Therefore, Pointud’s suspension remains in place and he is free to play on Monday, 26 November 2018. Notes Independent Appeal Committee a) Following the decision(s) of an independent Disciplinary Committee and/or an independent Judicial Officer, all parties (the club, player(s), individuals and EPCR) have the right to appeal the decision(s). b) The independent Appeal Committee is chosen by the Chairman of the independent Disciplinary Panel, Mike Hamlin. c) Members of the independent Disciplinary Committee or the independent Judicial Officer who issued the decision(s) being challenged by the appeal may not sit on the independent Appeal Committee. d) The full written decision of the Appeal Committee will be made available on www.epcrugby.com/discipline/decisions at a later date when it has been completed and issued to all parties.