Thomas Ramos suspended for five weeks

The Stade Toulousain full back, Thomas Ramos, has been suspended for five weeks following independent Disciplinary Hearings arising from his club’s Heineken Champions Cup, Round 2 match against Sale Sharks at Stade Ernest-Wallon. 

Ramos was issued with a red card by the referee, Andrea Piardi (Italy), in the 80th minute of the match for striking the Sale Sharks full back, Byron McGuigan, with his head in contravention of Law 9.12. 

Law 9.12 A player must not physically abuse anyone.
Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 9.12 relating to striking with the head carries the following sanction entry points – Low End: 6 weeks; Mid-range: 10 weeks; Top end: 16 to 52 weeks. 

Ramos was also cited by the match Citing Commissioner, Ed Kenny (Ireland), for allegedly making contact with the eye or eye area of the Sale Sharks scrum-half, Gus Warr, in the 56th minute of the match in contravention of Law 9.12. 

Law 9.12 A player must not physically abuse anyone.
Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 9.12 relating to contact with the eye or eye area carries the following sanction entry points – Low End: 4 weeks; Mid-range: 8 weeks; Top end: 12 to 52 weeks. 

Ramos accepted the red card decision, however, in relation to the citing complaint, he did not accept that he made contact with the eye area of Warr.  

With regard to the citing, the committee upheld the complaint, finding that Ramos had made intentional contact with Warr’s eye area. It determined that the offence was at the mid-range of World Rugby’s sanctions and eight weeks was selected as the appropriate entry point. 

As Ramos did not accept that he had committed the offence, the committee was not able to grant him the full 50% mitigation, and it reduced the sanction by three weeks before imposing a suspension of five weeks.  

The red card decision was also upheld with the committee finding that Ramos had struck McGuigan with his head. It determined that the offence was at the low end of World Rugby’s sanctions and six weeks was selected as the appropriate entry point. 

Taking into account Ramos’ guilty plea, the committee reduced the sanction by two weeks before imposing a suspension of four weeks.  

The committee then decided that the two sanctions of five weeks and four weeks should run concurrently and Ramos is therefore free to play on Monday, 23 January 2023. 

Both he and EPCR have the right to appeal both decisions.