The independent Judicial Committee consisting of Helen Morgan – Chair (New Zealand), Sarah Smith (Scotland) and Chris Smith (New Zealand) heard the case, considering all the available evidence and submissions from the player and his representative.
The player admitted that he had committed an act of foul play worthy of a red card. Having reviewed all the evidence, the committee deemed that:
1. The act of foul play was reckless, being as a result of poor tackle technique; and
2. Impact was made by the player on the face of the ball carrier with the player’s right shoulder.
On that basis, the Committee applied World Rugby’s mandatory minimum mid-range entry point for foul play resulting in contact with the head. This resulted in a starting point of a six-week suspension.
Having acknowledged mitigating factors including, the player accepting the red card issued by the referee and expressing remorse for the incident, the player’s honest and respectful conduct, and the player, until this incident, having a good judicial record, the committee reduced the six-week entry point by three weeks, resulting in a sanction of three weeks (to be served as the following given the player’s upcoming schedule):
Welsh Premiership – Cardiff vs Aberavon – 5 March 2022
U20 6 Nations – Wales U20 vs France U20 – 10 March 2022
U20 6 Nations – Wales U20 vs Italy U20 – 20 March 2022
The Player may apply to take part in the Coaching Intervention Programme to substitute the final match of his sanction for a coaching intervention aimed at modifying specific techniques and technical issues that contributed to the foul play. Further information can be found here. The player has the right of appeal within 3 working days of the issuing of the full written decision.
