Stormers to appeal lock's ban

REACTION: The Stormers intend to appeal the eight-week suspension handed to lock Adré Smith.

The ban was handed down to the Stormers second row forward following a disciplinary hearing on Thursday.

A Disciplinary Panel convened via video conference to consider the citing against Smith – resulting from the Round Two United Rugby Championship fixture against Munster on October 2.

Smith has the right to appeal the decision and intends to exercise that right once the written findings of the hearing have been provided.

The player received a citing complaint under Law 9.12 – A player must not physically or verbally abuse anyone. Physical abuse includes, but is not limited to, biting, punching, contact with the eye or eye area, striking with any part of the arm (including stiff-arm tackles), shoulder, head or knee(s), stamping, trampling, tripping or kicking.

The Disciplinary Panel, comprising of Kathrine Mackie, Iain Leslie (both Scotland) and Janet Gedrych (Wales) upheld the citing after the player failed to prove on the balance of probabilities that foul play had not occurred and selected a low-range entry point.

The Player’s previous record and behaviour during the process were considered and mitigation of 30 percent was applied.

As a result, the player has been banned for a period of eight games.

He is free to play from midnight on Sunday, February 13.