Davies and Ferris cited
Welsh lock Bradley Davies and Irish flank Stephen Ferris face disciplinary action after being cited on Tuesday for foul play in last weekend’s Six Nations clash.
Davies was lucky to avoid a red card after upending Donnacha Ryan during Ireland’s 23-21 defeat at Lansdowne Road, receiving only a period in the sin-bin instead.
Ferris was also sin-binned for a tackle on Ian Evans late in the game which set up Leigh Halfpenny’s match-winning penalty.
Davies and Ferris are to appear before an independent Six Nations disciplinary committee in London on Wednesday after being reported by match citing commissioner Achille Reali.
The issue of dangerous tackles has been the subject of much debate in recent months following the controversial dismissal of Wales captain Sam Warburton during last year’s World Cup semifinal with France.
Under International Rugby Board rules dangerous play is defined as “lifting a player from the ground, and dropping or driving that player into the ground whilst that player’s feet are still off the ground such that the player’s head and/or upper body come into contact with the ground.”
Davies’ seems certain to face a ban as a result of his tackle, which even Welsh coach Warren Gatland said should have earned a red card.
Referee Wayne Barnes was uncited and called on his assistant Dave Pearson to make a decision, but Pearson hadn’t had a clear view of the incident and cautiously called for a yellow card instead of a red one.
Ferris’s offence appears to be less serious, but the Irish stalwart now faces an anxious wait to learn if he will be banned for all or any of the remaining Six Nations games.
AFP
