Exeter's South African winger banned
NEWS: South African winger Campbell Ridl has been handed a two-match ban following the 20-minute red card he received for a dangerous aerial challenge on Bath’s Henry Arundell.
The Exeter Chiefs wing mistimed his leap while contesting a high ball during Saturday’s Premiership clash at The Recreation Ground, colliding with Arundell in the air and causing the Bath winger to land heavily on his head. Referee Luke Pearce initially issued a yellow card, but the sanction was upgraded to red after a bunker review.
An RFU disciplinary hearing, conducted on the papers by sole judicial officer Charles Cuthbert, confirmed that Ridl accepted the charge of foul play. He was subsequently suspended for two matches.
As a result, Ridl will miss Exeter’s European Challenge Cup Pool Three trip to Paris to face early pace-setters Stade Français this weekend, as well as the Premiership fixture against Cardiff at Sandy Park on 18 January.
Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter offered context to the incident, describing aerial contests as one of the most difficult skills to master.
“It’s a really tough area of the game,” Baxter told BBC Sport. “Catching a high ball is hard enough, but when you factor in judging an opponent’s jump as well, it becomes doubly difficult. Campbell has taken off a fraction too late, expecting to meet the ball at the same time, but the opposition jumped earlier.
“Sometimes players have to go through moments like this to learn from them, and for Campbell, this will be part of that process.”
The ban represents the first setback in what has otherwise been a promising start to Ridl’s senior career at Exeter.
The England Under-20 international made a try-scoring debut in the Premiership Rugby Cup against Bristol in November after recovering from a broken hand, impressed in a draw away to Racing 92, and went on to start three successive Premiership matches — including crossing the line in the post-Christmas win over Leicester.
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