Scotland stalwart Richie Gray slapped with ban

Scotland stalwart Richie Gray has been handed a 3-week ban following Scotland’s defeat to the All Blacks in Edinburgh last weekend.

A statement from the hearing read: “Scotland lock Richie Gray appeared before an independent judicial committee via video link having been cited for an act of foul play contrary to law No 9.20[a] [dangerous play in a ruck or maul; a player must not charge into a ruck or maul] in Scotland’s international match against New Zealand on November 16.

“The independent disciplinary committee chaired by Shao-ing Wang [Singapore], joined by former international Stefan Terblanche [South Africa] and former international referee Juan-Pablo Spirandelli [Argentina], heard the case, considering all the available evidence, including multiple broadcast angles and submissions from the player and his representative.

“The disciplinary committee considered and accepted submissions from the player’s representative that the charge be amended to law 9.11 [players must not do anything that is reckless or dangerous to others including leading with the elbow or forearm].

“The player denied that he had committed an act of foul play worthy of a red card. Having reviewed all the evidence, the committee deemed that on the balance of probabilities, there was foul play in that the player had led with his elbow into the tackle area which was dangerous to others. Applying World Rugby’s head contact process, the committee determined that there was contact with the head, that the player had acted recklessly, that there was a high degree of danger, and that there was no mitigation.

“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’s excellent disciplinary 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]:

• November 19:Scotland-v Argentina, ANS
• November 26: Glasgow Warriors v Leinster, URC
• December 3: Glasgow Warriors v Zebre URC

“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.”