Saracens Rhodes in hot water for 'unseen' headbutt
DISCIPLINARY NEWS: Saracens flank Michael Rhodes has been cited for striking Robbie Henshaw with his head during Saturday’s Champions Cup quarter-final against Leinster.
The incident occur in the second minute of the game when Rhodes swung his head back into the face of centre Henshaw at the bottom of a ruck, a strike unseen by officials during live play.
However, it has been picked up by an eagle-eyed citing commissioner Beth Dickens.
If the strike had been picked up at the time, Rhodes could easily have been red-carded by referee Pascal Gaüzère.
The back row also avoided a yellow card later in the game after a high tackle on Johnny Sexton for which he was penalised only.
The South Africa will face a disciplinary hearing on Tuesday.
Rhodes produced a man of the match for Saracens as they beat Leinster 25-17 to advance into the semi-finals.
Michael ‘head-banger’ Rhodes
Sarries MOTM from Saturday cited for this awkward nutting of Robbie Henshaw
ADVERTISEMENTWould love to see another angle as it looks a mix of clumsy and reckless here pic.twitter.com/UCWwpDGI7D
— Pat McCarry (@patmccarry) September 21, 2020
The official statement reads: “EPCR has received a citing complaint against the Saracens flank, Michael Rhodes (No. 6), arising from his club’s Heineken Champions Cup quarter-final match against Leinster Rugby at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, 19 September 2020.
“Rhodes is alleged to have committed an act of foul play in that he struck the Leinster centre, Robbie Henshaw (No 12), with his head the 2nd minute of the match in contravention of Law 9.12.
“An independent Disciplinary Committee comprising Simon Thomas (Wales), Chair, Frank Hadden (Scotland) and Val Toma (Romania) will hear the case by video conference tomorrow (Tuesday, 22 September).
“The complaint was made by the match Citing Commissioner, Beth Dickens (Scotland).”
* Law 9.12 Striking with the head
Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 9.12 relating to striking with the head carries the following sanction entry points – Low End: 6 weeks; Mid-range: 10 weeks; Top end: 16 to 104 weeks.
