Genge banned, but Woodburn cleared
DISCIPLINARY UPDATES: The outcome of the disciplinary hearings of Ellis Genge and Olly Woodburn, following the English Premiership’s Round 22 action this past weekend, has been made public.
The case of Exeter Chiefs utility Olly Woodburn has caused the most fierce reaction in the wake of his controversial red card.
Woodburn received two yellow cards for technical offences, during his team’s 19-62 loss to Leicester Tigers.
Both cards were contrary to World Rugby Law 9.27 – A player must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. .
The second of those yellows, when he slid in to try and prevent Chris Ashton from scoring a try, ignited a huge debate as referee Karl Dickson awarded a penalty try and gave a yellow card to Woodburn.
It meant that Woodburn was also shown the red card and he missed the majority of the second half.
His hearing was heard on Tuesday by a single judicial officer, Matthew Weaver, on papers.
In a statement afterwards the Rugby Football Union said the sending-off was deemed ‘sufficient’ and the player is free to play again with immediate effect.
Woodburn is thus available for the upcoming Champions Cup semifinal, where the Chiefs will take on champions La Rochelle in Bordeaux on April 30.
* Meanwhile Genge was slapped with a three-week ban, which will be reduced to two if he completes the World Rugby Coaching Intervention Programme.
The veteran front row forward was cited for dangerous tackling contrary to World Rugby Law 9.13 for an incident during the game against Sale Sharks.
The case was also heard on Tuesday, by a disciplinary panel chaired by Matthew Weaver – sitting with Mitch Read and Carl Bradshaw.
“Ellis Genge accepted the charge of dangerously tackling Tom Curry, contrary to World Rugby Law 9.13, prior to the hearing and, as such, the Panel needed to consider only the appropriate sanction,” Weaver said.
“Having considered the incident, including viewing footage of it both in real time and in slow motion, and it being confirmed that Tom Curry had suffered no significant injury, the Panel were content that the appropriate entry point was the mandatory minimum of mid-range, being a six week suspension from playing.
“In light of his acceptance of the charge at the earliest opportunity, his apology to Tom Curry, and his previously good disciplinary record over a long career of over 150 top level matches and 40 international matches, the Panel were content to mitigate the suspension by the maximum 50%, reducing the suspension to a 3-week suspension.
“Ellis Genge has confirmed his intention to participate in the World Rugby Coaching Intervention Programme which, if he is confirmed as eligible and conditional upon him completing the programme, will reduce his suspension to two weeks, meaning that he will be unavailable for Bristol Bears’ matches against Exeter Chiefs on 22nd April and against Gloucester on 6th May.”
