Meakes, Moriarty get two weeks

 

Both incidents came out of the European Challenge Cup Final against Edinburghh at the Twickenham Stoop on Friday, May 1.

 

Meakes was sent off by referee, Jerome Garces (France), in the 64th minute of the match for an alleged dangerous tackle on the Edinburgh centre, Sam Beard, in contravention of Law 10.4(e).

 

Law 10.4(e) Dangerous tackling. A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously

 

Moriarty was cited by the match Citing Commissioner, Yves Thieffine (France), for allegedly striking the Edinburgh replacement, Fraser McKenzie, with his knee in the 54th minute of the match.

 

10.4(a) Punching or striking. A player must not strike an opponent with the fist or arm, including the elbow, shoulder, head or knee(s)

 

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: two weeks; Mid-Range: six weeks; Top End: 10 to 52 weeks.

 

While World Rugby's sanctions for Foul Play, Law 10.4(a) Striking a player with the knee, carries the following sanction entry points – Low End: three weeks; Mid-Range: eight weeks; Top End: 12+ to 52 weeks.

 

The independent judicial officer, Mark McParland (Ireland), heard evidence and submissions from Meakes, who accepted the red card decision, from the Gloucester Director of Rugby, David Humphreys, and from the EPCR Disciplinary Officer.

 

In upholding the red card decision, the Judicial Officer found that Meakes had committed a dangerous, high tackle on a player without the ball.

 

He determined that the offence was at the low end of World Rugby's sanctions and selected two weeks as the appropriate entry point.

 

He added one week to take into account World Rugby's memorandum on high tackling, and then reduced the sanction by the maximum of one week due to the player's clean disciplinary record, early expression of remorse, guilty plea and good conduct at the hearing, before imposing a suspension of two weeks.

 

Meakes is free to play on Monday, May 18.

 

Mark McParland (Ireland), heard submissions and evidence from Moriarty, who pleaded guilty to the offence, from the Gloucester Director of Rugby, David Humphreys, and from the EPCR Disciplinary Officer.

 

In upholding the citing complaint, the judicial officer found that Moriarty had committed an act of foul play. 

 

He determined that the offence was at the low end of World Rugby's sanctions and selected three weeks as the appropriate entry point.

 

As there were no aggravating factors, and taking into account the player's guilty plea, expression of remorse and good conduct during the hearing, the judicial officer reduced the sanction by one week before imposing a suspension of two weeks.

 

Moriarty is free to play on Monday, May 18.