One less Saint to face the Bulls
NEWS: Northampton Saints wing James Ramm has been suspended for two weeks.
It follows the decision of a disciplinary committee arising from the Champions Cup Round One match between Section Paloise and Northampton Saints at Stade du Hameau this past Sunday, December 7.
It means he will miss the Bulls’ visit to Franklin’s Gardens this coming weekend for a Champions Cup Round Two face-off.
Ramm was sent off by the referee, Andrea Piardi (Italy), in the 48th minute of the match for tackling the Section Paloise second row, Thomas Jolmes (No.40), while he was in the air, in contravention of Law 9.17.
Law 9.17 A player must not tackle, charge, pull, push or grasp an opponent whose feet are off the ground.
Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 9.17 carries the following sanction entry points – Low End: 4 weeks/matches; Mid-range: 8 weeks/matches; Top end: 12 to 52 weeks/matches
A disciplinary committee comprising Declan Goodwin (Wales, Chairman), Gordon Black (Ireland), and Bartosz Marcynski (Poland) heard the case via video conference on Tuesday, December 9.
The Committee heard evidence and submissions from the player and his representatives, and from the EPCR Disciplinary Officer, Liam McTiernan.
Ramm accepted that he had committed an act of foul play that warranted a red card.
The disciplinary committee determined that the player was guilty of a reckless act and upheld the red card.
It was then decided that the offending was at the low end of World Rugby’s sanctions, and four weeks was selected as the appropriate entry point.
Taking into account the player’s good disciplinary record and his timely acceptance of the charge, as well as his remorse and apology to Thomas Jolmes, the committee decided to reduce the sanction by the maximum of 50 percent, before imposing a two-week suspension.
Ramm is free to play on Monday, December 22.
Both the player and EPCR have the right to appeal the decision.
Duncan Paia’aua (USAP) suspended for four weeks
The USAP centre, Duncan Paia’aua (No.18), has been suspended for four weeks following the decision of an disciplinary committee arising from the EPCR Challenge Cup Round One match between USAP and Dragons RFC at Stade Aimé Giral on Sunday, 7 December.
Paia’aua was sent off by the referee, Federico Vedovelli (Italy), in the 14th minute of the match for tackling the Dragons RFC hooker, Sam Scarfe (No 2), in a dangerous manner in contravention of Law 9.13.
Law 9.13 A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously.
Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 9.13 carries the following sanction entry points: Low-end – 2 weeks/matches; Mid-range – 6 weeks/matches; Top-end 10-52 weeks/matches
A disciplinary committee comprising Daniel White (England, Chairman), Andrei Zamfirescu (Romania), and Tony Wheat (Ireland) heard the case via video conference on Tuesday, December 9.
The Committee heard evidence and submissions from the player and his representatives, and from the EPCR Disciplinary Officer, Liam McTiernan.
Paia’aua accepted that he had committed an act of foul play that warranted a red card.
The disciplinary committee determined that the player was guilty of a dangerous tackle, which made contact with the head of his opponent and upheld the red card. It was then decided that the offending was at the mid-range of World Rugby’s sanctions, and six weeks was selected as the appropriate entry point.
Taking into account the player’s timely acceptance of the charge, as well as his remorse and apology to the Dragons RFC player, the Committee decided to reduce the sanction by two weeks before imposing a four-week suspension.
As the player has previously participated in the Coaching Intervention Programme, he is unable to do so again, and therefore will not be entitled to any further reduction in his sanction
Paia’aua is therefore free to play again on Monday, January 5.
Both the player and EPCR have the right to appeal the decision.
