London Irish to face Stormers without Creevy

DISCIPLINARY NEWS: London Irish hooker Agustin Creevy has been suspended for four weeks following the Champions Cup Round One match against Montpellier Hérault Rugby at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Creevy was handed a red card by referee, Andrea Piardi (Italy), in the 33rd minute of the match for tackling the Montpellier Hérault Rugby full back, Anthony Bouthier, in a dangerous manner in contravention of Law 9.13.

The independent Disciplinary Committee comprising Kathrine Mackie (Scotland), Chair, Bogdan Zebega (Romania) and Tembelani Herbert Mayosi (South Africa) considered video imagery of the incident and heard submissions from Creevy, who accepted he had committed an act of foul play but did not accept the red card decision, from the player’s legal representative, Tomas McGarvey, from the London Irish Team Manager, Alex James, and from the EPCR Disciplinary Officer, Liam McTiernan.

The committee upheld the red card decision, finding that in executing the tackle in a dangerous manner, Creevy had made contact with Bouthier’s 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.

Due to the player’s poor recent disciplinary record, it was decided not to grant him the full 50 percent mitigation and the committee, therefore, reduced the sanction by two weeks before imposing a four-week suspension.

Creevy is free to play on January 5, 2023.

However, if he applies for and successfully completes a World Rugby Coaching Intervention, he will be free to play on Monday, January 2, 2023.

London Irish have a Premiership Rugby Cup fixture on Wednesday, January 4,  2023,

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