Banned Evans to miss Six Nations
Wales have suffered another setback with lock Ian Evans set to miss the Six Nations after being suspended for 12 weeks at a disciplinary hearing in Dublin on Thursday.
Evans was sent off by referee Romain Poite (France) in Ospreys' European Cup match against Leinster last Friday for stamping on second row Mike McCarthy and pleaded guilty to the act on Thursday.
The independent judicial officer Jeremy Summers (England) heard evidence and submissions from Evans, Ospreys team manager Andy Lloyd and from the ERC disciplinary officer.
In upholding the red card decision, Summers stated that the incident involved at least two stamps which connected with McCarthy's head and which resulted in a serious facial wound.
Summers also stated that there was no place in the game for conduct of this kind, a view which Evans accepted during the hearing.
Summers determined that the offence was at the top end of the IRB sanctions for offences of this nature and selected 16 weeks as the appropriate entry point.
As there were no aggravating factors, he reduced the suspension by four weeks due to Evans' guilty plea, good conduct and remorse during the hearing.
The period of suspension runs over 13 weeks as Summers chose to take into account one week during the Six Nations period when Evans would not have played. Evans is therefore free to play on April 21, 2014.
Also in Dublin on Thursday, Connacht prop Nathan White was suspended for three weeks after pleading guilty to stamping Saracens centre Brad Barritt.
The citing complaints against Edinburgh back row Cornell du Preez – for allegedly striking Munster lock Paul O'Connell and Connacht scrumhalf Kieran Marmion – for allegedly striking Saracens replacement Neil de Kock – meanwhile, were upheld.
It was also decided that the acts of foul play did not warrant a red card, and the duo are therefore free to play.
The Evans incident:
The WhiteIncident:
