Georges-Henri Colombe suspended for four weeks

The Stade Rochelais replacement prop, Georges-Henri Colombe, has been suspended for four weeks following an independent Disciplinary Hearing arising from his club’s Heineken Champions Cup, Round of 16 match against Gloucester Rugby at Stade Marcel Deflandre.

Colombe was cited by the match Citing Commissioner, Beth Dickens (Scotland), for carrying out a dangerous clear-out at a ruck on the Gloucester Rugby back row, Ruan Ackermann, in the 68th minute of the match in contravention of Law 9.11.

Law 9.11 A player must not do anything that is reckless or dangerous to others
Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 9.11 relating to reckless or dangerous play, 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 Antony Davies (England), Chair, Donal Courtney (Ireland) and Frank Hadden (Scotland), viewed footage of the incident and heard evidence by video conference from Colombe, who accepted that he had committed an act of foul play but did not accept that it warranted a red card.

The committee also heard submissions from the Stade Rochelais Director of Rugby, Ronan O’Gara, from the Stade Rochelais Sporting Director, Robert Mohr, and from the EPCR Disciplinary Officer, Liam McTiernan. The club’s legal representative, Yves-Marie Fève, was also present during the hearing.

The committee upheld the citing complaint, finding that Colombe had committed 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 clear disciplinary record and his timely apology to Ackermann, the committee reduced the sanction by two weeks before imposing a four-week suspension.

If Stade Rochelais qualify for a Heineken Champions Cup semi-final, Colombe will be free to play on Monday 1 May, however, if Stade Rochelais do not qualify for a Heineken Champions Cup semi-final, he will be free to play on Monday 8 May.

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

Zach Mercer red card dismissed

The Montpellier Hérault Rugby No 8, Zach Mercer, has had the red card shown to him during his club’s Heineken Champions Cup, Round of 16 match against the Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park, dismissed following an independent Disciplinary Hearing.

Mercer was sent off by the referee, Andrew Brace (Ireland), in the 50th minute of the match for tackling the Exeter Chiefs back row, Christ Tshiunza, 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 David Martin (Ireland), Chair, Gordon Black (Ireland) and Bogdan Zebega (Romania), viewed footage of the incident and heard evidence by video conference from Mercer, who accepted that he had committed an act of foul play but did not accept that it warranted a red card.

The committee also heard submissions from the Montpellier Hérault Rugby Director of Rugby, Philippe Saint André, from the club’s Defence and Laws Coach, Alex Ruiz, from the club’s Team Manager, Tom Whitford, and from the EPCR Disciplinary Officer, Liam McTiernan. The club’s legal representative, Joris Loupien, was also present during the hearing.

The committee decided that although Mercer had committed an act of foul play, the tackle did not warrant a red card. The sending off was therefore dismissed and Mercer is free to play.

EPCR have the right to appeal the decision.

HEINEKEN CHAMPIONS CUP