Tigers captain slapped with Ban
DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Leicester Tigers captain Tom Youngs has been slapped with a ban for punching.
Youngs, capped 28 times by England, appeared before a disciplinary panel on Tuesday.
He was cited by citing commissioner Andy Blyth, following Tigers’ 18-9 Premiership win over Wasps last Saturday.
The citing follows a punch to the face of Wasps’ Will Rowlands, in the 53rd minute of the match – contrary to World Rugby Law 9.12.
Youngs, who last played for England in 2015 and has not made the squad once under Eddie Jones, accepted the charge and was given a four-week suspension by the panel – comprising Jeremy Summers (chairman) and Nick Garling.
He is free to play again on Tuesday, March 24.
“The player may have been reacting to an unintended contact with his body, but the reaction was nevertheless uncalled for,” Summers said in a statement.
“The player accepted that it was one which let down the game.
“He has two previous matters on record from 2016 and 2019 as such he was not eligible to receive full mitigation.
“A suspension of four weeks was therefore imposed.
“The dates of suspension take in to account a free weekend for Leicester Tigers on the 14/15 March.”
Rowlands reported the punch to the referee, but the television match official was heard saying he could not find the incident.
Former Wasps and England flyhalf Andy Goode also shared his thoughts on social media.
The TMO at the @LeicesterTigers v @WaspsRugby game must have been on a toilet break or tucking into the biscuits having missed a clear punch to the face! 👊🏼
— Andy Goode (@AndyGoode10) February 15, 2020
Stop being a grass! 😉
— David Flatman (@davidflatman) February 15, 2020
Sour grapes.
— Andy Gray (@AndyGra11989413) February 15, 2020
