Thomas, Licata learns fate following red cards
DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Cardiff’s Ben Thomas and Zebre’s Giovanni Licata have learnt their fate following receiving 20-minute red cards in their respective matches.
Licata was the first player in the United Rugby Championship to receive a 20-minute red card after the league implemented the rule this season, following many domestic and international tournaments already using it.
The disciplinary process related to Ben Thomas’ red card in the URC Round One game against Lions on Saturday, September 27, has resulted in a three-game suspension.
After an act of foul play by Cardiff player No.12 (Ben Thomas), referee Filippo Russo showed the player a yellow card, which was upgraded to a 20-minute red card in the 34th minute of the game under Law 9.20a – Dangerous play in a ruck or maul.
A player must not charge into a ruck or maul. Charging includes any contact made without binding onto another player in the ruck or maul.
In the player’s responses to the judicial officer overseeing the disciplinary process (Rose Alice Murphy), he had accepted that he had committed an act of foul play, which warranted a red card.
Murphy found that the incident met the red card threshold, with an entry point of mid-range (six weeks).
The player received three weeks (50 percent) mitigation due to his good record, resulting in a three-game suspension.
Should the player complete the World Rugby Coaching Intervention Programme, then the sanction will be reduced by one week.
Fixtures Ben Thomas is unavailable for:
October 4, 2025: Munster v Cardiff
October 11, 2025: Cardiff v Connacht
October 17, 2025: Dragons v Cardiff
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The disciplinary process related to Giovanni Licata’s red card in the game against Edinburgh on Saturday, September 27, has also resulted in a three-game suspension.
After an act of foul play by Zebre player No.8 (Giovanni Licata), referee Ben Whitehouse showed the player a yellow card, which was upgraded to a 20-minute red card in the 15th minute of the game under Law 9.13 – A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously.
Dangerous tackling includes, but is not limited to, tackling or attempting to tackle an opponent above the line of the shoulders, even if the tackle starts below the line of the shoulders.
In the player’s responses to the judicial officer overseeing the disciplinary process (Ben Rutherford), he accepted that he committed an act of foul play, which warranted a red card.
Rutherford found that the incident met the red card threshold, with an entry point of mid-range (six weeks).
The Player received three weeks (50 percent) mitigation due to his good record, remorse, apology and exemplary conduct throughout the disciplinary process, resulting in a three-game suspension.
Should the player complete the World Rugby Coaching Intervention Programme, then the sanction will be reduced by one week.
Fixtures Giovanni Licata is unavailable for:
October 5, 2025: Zebre v Lions
October 11, 2025: Ospreys v Zebre
October 18 2025: Zebre v Stormers
