Fraser Dingwall suspended for three weeks

The Northampton Saints centre, Fraser Dingwall, has been suspended for three weeks following an independent Disciplinary Hearing arising from his club’s Heineken Champions Cup, Round 4 match against Stade Rochelais at the cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens.

Dingwall was sent off by the referee, Andrea Piardi (Italy), in the 39th minute of the match for tackling the Stade Rochelais wing, Dillyn Leyds, in a dangerous manner in contravention of Law 9.13.

Law 9.13 A player must not tackle an opponent dangerously
Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 9.13 relating to dangerous tackling carries the following sanction entry points - Low End: 2 weeks; Mid-range: 6 weeks; Top end: 10 to 52 weeks.

An independent Disciplinary Committee comprising Declan Goodwin (Wales), Chair, Nigel Williams (Wales) and Tembelani Hebert Mayosi (South Africa) heard submissions from Dingwall, who accepted the red card decision, from the Northampton Saints, Team Manager, Maurice Hartery, and from the EPCR Disciplinary Officer, Liam McTiernan.

The committee upheld the red card decision, finding that in carrying out the tackle in a dangerous manner, Dingwall had made contact with Leyds’ head. It then determined that the offending was at the mid-range of World Rugby’s sanctions and six weeks was selected as the appropriate entry point.

As the player has a clear disciplinary record, and as there were no aggravating factors, it was decided to grant him the full 50% mitigation and the committee therefore reduced the sanction by three weeks before imposing a three-week suspension.

Dingwall is free to play on Monday, 20 February due to Northampton Saints’ fixture schedule, however, if he applies for and successfully completes a World Rugby Coaching Intervention, he will be free to play on Monday, 13 February.

Both the player and EPCR have the right to appeal the decision.

Lukhan Salakaia-Loto suspended for four weeks

The Northampton Saints second row, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, has been suspended for four weeks following an independent Disciplinary Hearing arising from his club’s Heineken Champions Cup, Round 4 match against Stade Rochelais at the cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens.

Salakaia-Loto was sent off by the referee, Andrea Piardi (Italy), in the 81st minute of the match for striking the Stade Rochelais replacement back row, Paul Boudehent in a dangerous manner in contravention of Law 9.11.

Law 9.11 Reckless or dangerous play – leading with the elbow or forearm
Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 9.11 relating to dangerous play, leading with the forearm, carries the following sanction entry points - Low End: 2 weeks; Mid-range: 6 weeks; Top end: 10 to 52 weeks

An independent Disciplinary Committee comprising Kathrine Mackie (Scotland), Chair, Tony Wheat (Ireland) and Marcello d’Orey (Portugal) heard submissions from Salakaia-Loto, who accepted the red card decision, from the Northampton Saints, Team Manager, Maurice Hartery, and from the EPCR Disciplinary Officer, Liam McTiernan.

The committee upheld the red card decision, finding that Salakaia-Loto had been guilty of a reckless act of foul play. It then determined that the offending was at the mid-range of World Rugby’s sanctions and six weeks was selected as the appropriate entry point.

Due to the player’s good disciplinary record and acceptance of the red card, the committee reduced the sanction by two weeks before imposing a four-week suspension.

Salakaia-Loto is free to play on Monday, 27 February due to Northampton Saints’ fixture schedule, however, if he applies for and successfully completes a World Rugby Coaching Intervention, he will be free to play on Monday, 20 February.

Both the player and EPCR have the right to appeal the decision.

Feibyan-Cornell Tukino suspended for three weeks

The Castres Olympique No 8, Feibyan-Cornell Tukino, has been suspended for three weeks following an independent Disciplinary Hearing arising from his club’s Heineken Champions Cup, Round 4 match against Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park.

Tukino was sent off by the referee, Andrew Brace (Ireland), after 37 minutes of the match for tackling the Exeter Chiefs prop, James Kenny, in a dangerous manner in contravention of Law 9.13.

Law 9.13 A player must not tackle an opponent dangerously
Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 9.13 relating to dangerous tackling carries the following sanction entry points - Low End: 2 weeks; Mid-range: 6 weeks; Top end: 10 to 52 weeks.

An independent Disciplinary Committee comprising Sam Hillas KC (England), Chair, Frank Hadden (Scotland) and John Greenwood (England) heard submissions from Tukino, who accepted the red card decision, from the Castres Olympique Chief Executive, Matthias Rolland, and from the EPCR Disciplinary Officer, Liam McTiernan.

The committee upheld the red card decision, finding that Tukino had tackled Kenny in a dangerous manner that warranted a sending off. It then determined that the offending was at the mid-range of World Rugby’s sanctions and six weeks was selected as the appropriate entry point.

As the player has a clear disciplinary record, and as there were no aggravating factors, it was decided to grant him the full 50% mitigation and the committee therefore reduced the sanction by three weeks before imposing a three-week suspension.

Tukino is free to play on Monday, 20 February due to Castres Olympique’s fixture schedule, however, if he applies for and successfully completes a World Rugby Coaching Intervention, he will be free to play on Monday, 6 February.

Both the player and EPCR have the right to appeal the decision.

EPCR CHALLENGE CUP

Piers Francis citing complaint dismissed

The Bath Rugby outside half, Piers Francis, has had a citing complaint against him dismissed following an independent Disciplinary Hearing arising from his club’s EPCR Challenge Cup, Round 4 match against Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun.

Francis was cited by the match Citing Commissioner, Gabriele Pezzano (Italy), for allegedly tackling the Glasgow Warriors centre, Sione Tuipulotu, in a dangerous manner in the 42nd minute of the match in contravention of Law 9.13.

Law 9.13 A player must not tackle an opponent dangerously
Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 9.13 relating to dangerous tackling carries the following sanction entry points - Low End: 2 weeks; Mid-range: 6 weeks; Top end: 10 to 52 weeks.

An independent Disciplinary Committee comprising Jean-Noel Couraud (France), Chair, Donal Courtney (Ireland) and Val Toma (Romania) heard submissions from Francis, who accepted that he had committed an act of foul play but that it did not warrant a red card, from the player’s legal representative, Simon Pritchard, from the Bath Rugby Team Manager, Fran Leighton, and from the EPCR Disciplinary Officer, Liam McTiernan.

The committee decided that while Francis had committed an act of foul play, it did not warrant a sending off. The citing complaint was therefore dismissed and he is free to play.

EPCR have the right to appeal the decision.

Citing Commissioner Warning – Antoine Tichit (Castres Olympique)

The Castres Olympique prop, Antoine Tichit, has been issued with a Citing Commissioner Warning arising from his club’s Heineken Champions Cup, Round 4 match against the Exeter Chiefs on Saturday, 21 January 2023.

The warning was for leading with the forearm into the neck/throat area of the Exeter Chiefs player, Sam Simmonds, in the ninth minute of the match in contravention of Law 9.12. The match Citing Commissioner was Eugene Ryan (Ireland).

Citing Commissioner Warning – Sebastian De Chaves (Newcastle Falcons)

The Newcastle Falcons second row, Sebastian De Chaves, has been issued with a Citing Commissioner Warning arising from his club’s EPCR Challenge Cup, Round 4 match against Connacht Rugby on Saturday, 21 January 2023.

The warning was for making contact with the Connacht Rugby replacement hooker, Dylan Tierney-Martin, above the line of the shoulders in a dangerous manner in contravention of Law 9.20(b). The match Citing Commissioner was Richard McGhee (Scotland).

Players who accumulate three Citing Commissioner Warnings, or who are shown three yellow cards for Foul Play offences, or a combination of both, during the pool stages and knockout stages of the Heineken Champions Cup and the EPCR Challenge Cup, will be required to attend a Disciplinary Hearing.

HEINEKEN CHAMPIONS CUP