Bad news for Munster as prop cops ban

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Prop John Ryan will miss Munster’s Champions Cup match against Northampton Saints after he was handed a suspension.

Ryan was cited following the United Rugby Championship match between Munster and Cardiff last week.

The prop was handed a yellow card in the 59th minute of the Round 13 clash.

The forward contravened Law 9.18 a Player must not lift an opponent off the ground and drop or drive that player so that their head and/or upper body make contact with the ground.

However, upon further review, the panel overseeing the disciplinary process Robert Milligan (Chair, SRU), Rod McKenzie (SRU) and Stefan Terblanche (SARU), found that the incident met the Red Card threshold.

Ryan accepted that he had committed an act of foul play but that it had not warranted a red card.

However, the panel reduced the suspension to three games (50 percent mitigation) due to his good record, apology and exemplary conduct in the hearing which resulted in a three-game suspension.

Consequently, he will miss the three matches, including the  URC fixtures against the Bulls and Lions.