Vunipola to face the music for Loftus red card
DISCIPLINARY NEWS: Saracens No.8 Billy Vunipola will face a disciplinary hearing on Tuesday after he received a red card in his team’s Champions Cup opener against the Bulls in Pretoria over the weekend.
The England star was sent off by referee Andrea Piardi in the 52nd minute of the match for dangerous contact to the head area of Bulls No.8 Cameron Hanekom at a ruck.
It’s in contravention of Law 9.12 and Law 9.11:
Law 9.12 Physical abuse of an opponent – punching or striking with hand, arm, elbow, or shoulder.
Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 9.12 relating to striking with the hand, arm, elbow or shoulder carries the following sanction entry points – Low End: two weeks; mid-range: six weeks; top end: 10 to 52 weeks.
Law 9.11 Reckless or dangerous play – leading with the elbow or forearm.
Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 9.11 relating to dangerous play carries the following sanction entry points – low end: two weeks; mid-range: six weeks; top end: 10 to 52 weeks.
Jennifer Donovan (Ireland), Chair Tony Wheat (Ireland) and Valeriu Toma (Romania) have been appointed as the independent Disciplinary Committee for the hearing.
Meanwhile, EPCR has received a citing complaint against the Bristol Bears replacement wing, Kalaveti Ravouvou (No.23), arising from his club’s Champions Cup, Round One match against Lyon at Ashton Gate.
Ravouvou is alleged to have tackled the Lyon replacement, Alexandre Tchaptchet (No.23), in a dangerous manner in the 64th minute of the match in contravention of Law 9.18.
The complaint was made by the match Citing Commissioner Ed Kenny (Ireland).
Roger Morris (Wales), Chair Valeriu Toma (Romania) and Marcello d’Orey (Portugal) have been appointed as the independent Disciplinary Committee for the hearing which will take place by video conference on Tuesday.
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.
Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 9.18 carries the following sanction entry points – low end: six weeks; mid-range: 10 weeks; top end: 14 to 52 weeks.
