Ulster prop to miss Six Nations opener

NEWS: Ulster prop Tom’O Toole has been handed down a six-week ban following his red card against Munster in December and will miss Ireland’s first two Six nations matches.

After an act of foul play by Ulster prop Tom O’Toole, referee Ben Whitehouse showed the Player a Red Card in the 31st minute of the game under Law 9.20e – Dangerous play in a ruck or maul. A player must not drop their weight onto an opponent or target the lower limbs.

In the Player’s responses to the Judicial Officer overseeing the disciplinary process (Sheriff Kathrine Mackie, Scotland), he had accepted that he had committed an act of foul play which warranted a Red Card.

Sheriff Mackie found that the incident met the Red Card threshold, with entry point of top end warranting ten weeks.

The Player received four weeks (40%) mitigation for his admission of foul play, immediate apology and again post match.

Munster inside centre Alex Nankivell was unable to continue to play and with further assessment it was confirmed he injured his hamstring tendon.

Due to the Player receiving another Red Card for foul play in 2022, not all mitigating factors were applied.

This results in a six game suspension.

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Fixtures Tom O’Toole is unavailable for:

Connacht v Ulster: December 28, 2024 (URC)

Leicester v Ulster: January 11, 2025 (Champions Cup)

Ulster v Exeter Chiefs: January 17 2025 (Champions Cup)

Ulster v Zebre Parma: January 26, 2025 (URC)

Ireland v England: February 1, 2025 (Six Nations)

Scotland v Ireland: February 8, 2025 (Six Nations)