'Reckless': Bath speedster banned for eye contact incident
DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Bath wing Will Muir has been banned for four weeks.
The 26-year was cited for allegedly making contact with the eye of Leinster flank Josh Van der Flier in the 14th minute of a Champions Cup Round One match in contravention of Law 9.12. The complaint was made by the match Citing Commissioner, Jeff Mark (Wales).
Leinster won the match 45-20.
“An independent Disciplinary Committee comprising Philippe Cavalieros [France], Chair, Val Toma [Romania] and Chris Watts [Wales], considered video imagery of the incident and heard submissions from Muir, who pleaded not guilty to the charge, from Muir’s legal representative, Sam Jones, from the Bath Rugby Chief Operating Officer, Alex Cohen, and from the EPCR Disciplinary Officer, Liam McTiernan,” the EPCR said in a statement.
“The committee upheld the citing complaint, finding the Muir had made contact in a reckless manner with Van der Flier’s eye that warranted a red card. It was then determined that the offence was at the low end of World Rugby’s sanctions and six weeks was selected as the appropriate entry point.
“Taking into account the player’s relative inexperience, the committee reduced the sanction by two weeks before imposing a four-week suspension.
“Muir is free to play on Monday, 10 January 2022 and both he and EPCR have the right to appeal the decision.”
Meanwhile, Sale Sharks prop Nick Schonert has been banned for two weeks.
Schonert was cited for allegedly entering a maul dangerously and making contact with the Ospreys prop, Gareth Thomas, above the line of the shoulder in the 38th minute of their match in contravention of Law 9.20 (b).
The complaint was made by the match Citing Commissioner, John Montgomery (Scotland).
“An independent Disciplinary Committee comprising Owain Rhys James [Wales], Chair, Rod McKenzie [Scotland] and Tony Wheat [England] considered video imagery of the incident and heard submissions from Schonert, who accepted that he had committed an act of foul play but that it did not warrant a red card, and from Schonert’s legal representative, Ben Cisneros. Submissions from the Sale Sharks Team Manager, Scott Needham, and from the EPCR Disciplinary Officer, Liam McTiernan, were also heard,” the EPCR said in a statement.
“The committee upheld the citing complaint, finding the Schonert had committed an act of foul play that warranted a red card. It was then determined that the offence was at the mid-range of World Rugby’s sanctions and four weeks was selected as the appropriate entry point.
“There were no aggravating factors, and the committee reduced the sanction by two weeks before imposing a two-week suspension.
“Schonert is free to play on Monday, 27 December 2021 and both he and EPCR have the right to appeal the decision.”
