Three-week ban for McGrath

Leinster prop Jack McGrath has been banned for three weeks for stamping on an opponent.

McGrath appeared before a disciplinary committee on Wednesday, having been cited by a citing commissioner for stamping on an opponent in the second half of the Pro12 match between his province, Leinster, and fellow Irish outfit Ulster at the RDS, Dublin last Saturday, January 3.

The disciplinary committee, chaired by Roger Morris (Wales) – along with Rhian Williams (Wales) and John Doubleday (England) – having reviewed video footage of the incident and having listened to representations from, and on behalf of, the player, found that the player had committed an act of foul play and upheld the citing complaint.

In determining sanction, the disciplinary committee's view was that the player's actions had been deliberate and that, in terms of seriousness, the player's actions were at the mid-range of World Rugby's sanctions for foul play, which carries a five week entry-point suspension.

In light of compelling mitigation factors, including the player's unblemished playing record, together with his conduct at the hearing, the disciplinary committee determined that the player should be suspended from playing for a period of three weeks, up to and including Sunday, January 25.

The player was reminded of his right of appeal.