Slap on the wrist, despite red-card frenzy

NEWS: Rugby Football Union officials appear to just continue paying lip service, despite the outcry over the ongoing surge in red-card offences.

Seasoned Exeter hooker Jack Yeandle has been banned for just three weeks, following his red card during the Chiefs’ Premiership defeat to Sale Sharks last Friday.

The forward was shown a red card by referee Karl Dickson in the 26th minute of the match for dangerous play in a ruck or maul, contrary to World Rugby law 9.20a.

Yeandle accepted the charge and was given a three-week suspension by the RFU disciplinary panel – comprising Jeremy Summers (Chairman), Mitch Read and Tony Wheat.

He is free to play on March 23.

At the hearing, Exeter forward Yeandle gave his opinion as to what had happened at the AJ Bell.

“My intention was to get to the breakdown as soon as I could and to clear past the ball,” he told the hearing.

“What I intended to do was to get my left arm underneath Sale No.2 [Curtis Langdon] and then go over Ollie Devoto with the intention of protecting the ball.

“I accept the offence on the basis that my action in entering the breakdown with my left arm not extended was reckless.”

In reaching their decision to suspend Yeandle from Exeter’s upcoming matches against Bath, Harlequins and Leicester, their short judgment form stated: “The panel followed the mandatory mid-range entry point required for foul play involving contact with the head.

“The panel found no grounds in the offending that necessitated a top-end entry point assessment.

“The Panel had no hesitation in finding that the offence arose from a poorly-exceuted attempted clear out, which was devoid of any malice.

“This was a reckless act where no injury resulted.”

While Yeandle was sent-off, Langdon went on to score the decisive 70th minute try in the 25-20 win for Sale.