Youngs found guilty of foul play

Leicester Tigers scrumhalf Ben Youngs has been suspended for one week after pleading guilty to striking London Irish’s Jamie Gibson with his knee.

Youngs’ actions were contrary to Law 10(4)(a), during the Aviva Premiership match at the Madejski Stadium on March 25.

The RFU Disciplinary Panel of His Honour Judge Jeff Blackett (chair), Robert Horner and Peter Budge suspended him from Wednesday, March 28 (the date of Leicester Tigers’ internal suspension) to Wednesday, April 4. He can play again on Thursday, April 5.

Judge Blackett said: “We decided that the offence was at the low end of seriousness, which carries an entry point of three weeks. There were no aggravating features and on the basis of his good record this was reduced by 50 per cent. Taking into account RFU Regulation 19.11.13 there was a compelling mitigating factor in that the player was being held down unlawfully for a substantial period and so we reduced the suspension further to one week.

“We would like to thank Leicester for their responsible attitude towards this case.”