PRO14 Rainbow Cup Round 2 Disciplinary Decisions

Will Addison – Four Weeks

Will Addison of Ulster Rugby has been banned for a period of four weeks as a result of his red card in the Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup Round 2 fixture with Munster on Friday, May 7, 2021.

He was shown a red card by Referee Craig Evans (WRU) 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 lie of the shoulders even if the tackle starts below the line of the shoulders.

The Disciplinary process for the red card offence was presided over by Judicial Officer Rhian Williams (WRU) who concluded that a mid-range offence had occurred, with a mid-range entry point of six weeks. In order to determine the ultimate sanction, the Judicial Officer considered the lack of aggravating circumstances and the range of mitigating factors advanced by the Player.

Addison is suspended from participating in the next four meaningful matches. Should a game be cancelled or postponed during this window of games, him and PRO14 are to submit updated fixtures to the Disciplinary Panel so the return date can be advised.

Mark Bennett – Three Weeks

Mark Bennett of Edinburgh Rugby has been suspended for a period of three weeks following receiving a red card in the Guinness PRO14 Round 2 fixture with Glasgow Warriors on Friday, May 7, 2021.

Bennett was shown a red card by referee Adam Jones (WRU) 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 lie of the shoulders even if the tackle starts below the line of the shoulders.

The Disciplinary process for the red card offence was presided over by Judicial Officer Declan Goodwin (WRU) who concluded that a mid-range offence had occurred, which carries a six-week suspension. Having considered all the evidence, a reduction of three weeks was applied. The Player is suspended from participating in the next three meaningful matches. Should a game be cancelled or postponed during this window of games, the Player and PRO14 are to submit updated fixtures to the Disciplinary Panel so the return date can be advised.

Oliver Kebble – Three Weeks

Oliver Kebble of Glasgow Warriors has been banned for a period of three weeks. Kebble was shown a red card during the Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup Round 2 fixture against Edinburgh Rugby on Saturday, May 7.

The Player was shown a red card by Referee Adam Jones (WRU) 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 stuff-arm tackles), shoulder, head or knee(s), stamping, trampling tripping or kicking.

The Disciplinary Process of the red card offence was presided over by Judicial Officer Owain Rhys James (WRU), who concluded that an act of foul play had occurred. The incident was found to merit a mid-range entry point, which indicates a six-week suspension for this offence. Having considered all available evidence and the player’s previous disciplinary record, a reduction of 50 percent was applied, bringing the ban to three weeks.

The Player is suspended from participating in the next three meaningful matches. Should a game be cancelled or postponed during this window of games, the Player and PRO14 are to submit updated fixtures to the Disciplinary Panel so the return date can be advised.

Rhys Lawrence – Three Weeks

Rhys Lawrence of Dragons Rugby Club has been suspended for a period of three weeks as a result of his red card in the Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup Round 2 fixture with Cardiff Blues on Sunday, May 9, 2021.

The Player was shown a red card by referee Mike Adamson (IRFU) under Law 9.20 – Dangerous play in a ruck or maul.

The Disciplinary process was presided over by Sheriff Kathrine Mackie (SRU). The Player accepted he had committed an act of foul play involving contact with the head of an opposition player which warranted a red card. The Judicial Officer concluded that a mid-range offence had occurred, carrying a six-week suspension. Having considered all available evidence, mitigation of 50 percent was applied, bringing the ban to three weeks.

The Player is suspended from participating in the next three meaningful matches. Should a game be cancelled or postponed during this window of games, the Player and PRO14 are to submit updated fixtures to the Disciplinary Panel so the return date can be advised.

Owen Lane – Three Weeks

Owen Lane of Cardiff Blues has been suspended for a period of three weeks after receiving a red card in the Guinness PRO14 Round 2 fixture against Dragons Rugby on Sunday, May 9, 2021.

Lane was shown a red card referee by Mike Adamson (SRU) 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 lie of the shoulders even if the tackle starts below the line of the shoulders.

Judicial Officer Rory Bannerman (IRFU) presided over the case, who concluded that a mid-range act of foul play had occurred, carrying a six-week suspension. In order to determine the ultimate sanction, the Judicial Officer considered the lack of aggravating circumstances and the range of mitigating factors advanced by the Player. The Judicial Officer concluded that mitigation of 50 percent should be applied, therefor Lane is banned from participating in the next three meaningful matches.

Should a game be cancelled or postponed during this window of games, the Player and PRO14 are to submit updated fixtures to the Disciplinary Panel so the return date can be advised.