Here are further decisions from the independent disciplinary hearings following Round 4 of the Challenge Cup and Champions Cup

Randall Morrison suspended for two weeks

The Timisoara Saracens flanker, Randall Morrison, has been suspended for two weeks following an independent Disciplinary Hearing today (Wednesday, 21 December 2016) arising from his club’s European Rugby Challenge Cup, Round 4 match against Harlequins at The Twickenham Stoop.

Morrison was sent off by referee, Thomas Charabas (France), for a dangerous tackle on the Harlequins wing, Marland Yarde, in the 3^rd minute of the match in contravention of Law 10.4 (e).

Law 10.4 (e) Dangerous Tackling
Under World Rugby's Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 10.4 (e) Dangerous tackling of an opponent, carries the following sanction entry points - Low End: 2 weeks; Mid-Range: 6 weeks; Top End: 10 to 52 weeks.

An independent Disciplinary Committee consisting of Roger Morris (Wales), Chairman, Tommy Dalton (Ireland) and Becky Essex (England) heard evidence and submissions by video conference from Morrison, who pleaded guilty to the offence, from the Timisoara Saracens Assistant Team Manager, Dana Uruci, and from the EPCR Disciplinary Officer, Liam McTiernan.

In upholding the red card decision, the Committee found that the offence was at the low end of World Rugby's sanctions and selected two weeks as the appropriate entry point. The Committee than added one week to the sanction in accordance with World Rugby’s memorandum regarding dangerous tackles.

Taking into account Morrison’s clean disciplinary record, his guilty plea and expression of remorse, the Committee decided to reduce the sanction by one week before imposing a two-week suspension.

As Timisoara Saracens have no competitive matches until Round 5 of the Challenge Cup, Morrison will be free to play on Monday, 23 January 2017. Both the player and EPCR have the right to appeal the decision.

Mat Luamanu suspended for three weeks

The Harlequins player, Mat Luamanu, has been suspended for three weeks following an independent Disciplinary Hearing in London today (Wednesday, 21 December 2016) arising from his club’s European Rugby Challenge Cup, Round 4 match against Timisoara Saracens at The Twickenham Stoop.

Luamanu was sent off by referee, Thomas Charabas (France), for charging dangerously into the Timisoara Saracens wing, Madalin Lemnaru, in the 76^th minute of the match in contravention of Law 10.4 (g).

Law 10.4 (g) Dangerous Charging
Under World Rugby's Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 10.4 (g) Dangerous charging of an opponent, carries the following sanction entry points - Low End: 2 weeks; Mid-Range: 5 weeks; Top End: 10 to 52 weeks.

An independent Disciplinary Committee consisting of Roger Morris (Wales), Chairman, Tommy Dalton (Ireland) and Becky Essex (England) heard submissions from Luamanu, who pleaded not guilty to the offence, from the Harlequins legal representative, Chris Smith, the Harlequins Director of Rugby, John Kingston, and the Harlequins Team Manager, Graeme Bowerbank. The Committee also heard evidence and submissions from the EPCR Disciplinary Officer, Liam McTiernan.

In upholding the red card decision, the Committee found that the offence was at the low end of World Rugby's sanctions and selected two weeks as the appropriate entry point. The Committee then added one week to the sanction due to the player’s poor recent disciplinary record.

Taking into account that Luamanu had pleaded not guilty to the offence, the Committee decided that there were not sufficient mitigating factors to warrant any reduction from the entry point, and imposed a suspension of three weeks.

Luamanu is free to play on Monday, 9 January 2017. Both the player and EPCR have the right to appeal the decision.

Notes

(i) Red Card
a) The case of any player sent off in European Rugby Champions Cup and Challenge Cup games shall be adjudicated by an independent Disciplinary Committee or an independent Judicial Officer as soon as is practicable.
b) Until the hearing the player is ineligible to play in any tournament.
(ii) Disciplinary Hearing
a) The independent Disciplinary Committee or independent Judicial Officer are chosen by the chairman of the independent Disciplinary Panel, Professor Lorne Crerar.
b) EPCR's Disciplinary Officer presents the case against the player.
c) If a decision is upheld, the Disciplinary Committee or Judicial Officer will be required to consider the appropriate sanction under World Rugby's sanctioning regime, which EPCR is obliged to follow. The seriousness of the player's actions will be first assessed in order to determine which of the three stipulated entry points (lower end, mid-range and top end) is the most appropriate.
d) The Disciplinary Committee or Judicial Officer will determine the appropriate entry point based on an assessment of a number of particular characteristics of the player's actions, including whether or not they were intentional, whether or not they caused any injuries and whether or not they had any effect on the relevant match.
e) After deciding the entry point, the Disciplinary Committee or Judicial Officer will then consider whether the suspension should be increased from the entry point to take account of certain specified aggravating factors, such as a poor disciplinary record or the need for deterrence, and/or decreased from the entry point to take account of certain specified mitigating actions, such as a guilty plea, a good disciplinary record, the player's conduct at the hearing and expressions of remorse.
f) A suspension is a blanket ban from playing rugby union anywhere in the world.
g) Both parties to the hearing (EPCR and the player) have the right to appeal decisions. Appeals must be lodged within three (3) working days of receiving the full written decision of the Disciplinary Committee or Judicial Officer.
h) The full written decision will be available on www.epcrugby.com/discipline/news.php when the disciplinary process is complete.
i) For World Rugby's Sanctions for Foul Play, found at Appendix 1 to World Rugby Regulation 17, please go to www.worldrugby.org