Wales centre cops massive ban for dangerous tackle
NEWS: Scarlets centre Johnny Williams has been handed a six-week ban for a dangerous tackle during the Challenge Cup match against Clermont.
The Wales centre was given a red year in the 26th minute after a head collision with Julien Heriteau.
The 27-year-old is set to have contravened 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; Mid-range: 6 weeks; Top End: 10 to 52 weeks.
The independent Disciplinary Committee comprising Mark Curran (Ireland), Chair, Daniel White (England) and Valeriu Toma (Romania) studied video imagery of the incident and heard evidence from Williams, who accepted the red card decision.
The committee also heard submissions from the Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel, and the Scarlets Team Manager, Sara Davies.
The committee upheld the red card decision and determined that the offending was at the top end of World Rugby’s sanctions and 12 weeks was selected as the appropriate entry point.
He was initially given a 12-week suspension.
However his punishment was reduced due to his timely acceptance of the charge and his apology to Hériteau, the EPCR revealed.
The date when Williams can return to play will be determined once the committee has received full details of his future playing schedule.
Meanwhile, Exeter Chiefs No.8 Greg Fisilau escaped any punishment following his sent-off during the Champions Cup’s Round Three match against Glasgow Warriors at Sandy Park.
Fisilau was alleged to have tackled the Glasgow Warriors flyhalf, Duncan Weir, in a dangerous manner in the ninth minute.
The loose forward fronted an independent disciplinary committee, which ‘determined that Fisilau had committed an act of foul play and that the match officials were not wrong in issuing him with a yellow card.
However, it decided that his actions did not warrant a red card and the citing complaint was dismissed.
Fisilau is free to play immediately and EPCR has the right to appeal the decision.
