Devoto's high-tackle ban explained

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Exeter Chiefs utility back Ollie Devoto has been slapped with a four-week ban for a high tackle.

Devoto, who appeared before a disciplinary panel on Wednesday, was cited by citing commissioner Chris Catling – following the match between Harlequins and Exeter Chiefs last Saturday, February 29.

The citing was for the dangerous tackling of Marcus Smith of Harlequins in the 72nd minute of the match, contrary to World Rugby Law 9.13.

Devoto was found guilty by the panel – comprising of Philip Evans (Chairman), with Leon Lloyd and Chris Skaife.

He is banned from March 3 to April 6.

“The player accepted that he had made a high tackle with a swinging arm and that it made contact with the head of the opposition player,” Evans said.

“He did not accept it met the red card threshold.

“The panel applied the World Rugby decision-making framework for high tackles and considering all of the evidence available found that there was a high degree of danger to the Harlequins player as a consequence of the incident.

“There were insufficient mitigating factors to reduce the red card to yellow.

“He contested the charge, but other mitigation reduced the sanction from six weeks to four.

“He will be available to play on the April 7 which includes four meaningful weeks of fixtures.”