Lions suffer second-row blow
DISCIPLINARY NEWS: Lions lock Ruben Schoeman has been handed a three-week suspension following his red card offence during United Rugby Championship Round Seven clash against Dragons.
Schoeman was red-carded by referee Andrea Piardi in the 25th minute during the Lions’ 49-24 bonus-point win at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.
Consequently, the lock has been cited to have contravened Law 9.25 – a player must not intentionally charge or obstruct an opponent who has just kicked the ball.
The 27-year-old faced a disciplinary hearing on Thursday and had accepted that he had committed an act of foul play.
However, Schoeman and his team argued that the act warranted only a yellow card.
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The panel, consisting of Roddy MacLeod, Chair (Scotland), Gary Gordon (Scotland) and Gorgon Black (Ireland), considered the degree of danger and upheld the red card – imposing a three-week suspension.
Should Schoeman complete the World Rugby Coaching Intervention Programme the sanction will reduced by one week.
As it stands, Schoeman is unavailable for the Lions’ clash with Perpignan in France in the Challenge Cup on Saturday as well as next week’s Challenge Cup match against Newcastle Falcons at Ellis Park and their URC derby against Sharks on January 6 in Durban. .
Fixtures Ruben Schoeman is unavailable for:
Perpignan v Lions, December 10, 2023 – EPCR Challenge Cup
Lions v Newcastle Falcons, December 16, 2023 – EPCR Challenge Cup
Sharks v Lions, January 6, 2024 – URC
*Meanwhile, Cardiff flank Ellis Jenkins has also been handed a three-week suspension.
The loose forward was red-carded during the match against Scarlets on Saturday, December 2.
Referee Ben Whitehouse showed the Player a Red Card in the 27th minute of the game under Law 9.18 – A player must not lift an opponent off the ground and drop or drive that player so that their head and/or upper body make contact with the ground.
Jenkins accepted the ruling and will miss the first two rounds of the Champions Cup and the URC fixture against Dragons.
Fixtures Ellis Jenkins is unavailable for:
Stade Toulousain v Cardiff, December 9, 2023 – Champions Cup
Cardiff v Bath, December 16, 2023 – Champions Cup
Cardiff v Dragons, December 26, 2023 – URC
