Champions Cup
Disciplinary Hearings – Round 2
Red Card – Alec Clarey (Saracens)
The Saracens replacement prop, Alec Clarey (No 18), was issued with a red card during his club’s Heineken Champions Cup, Round 2 match against Lyon at the Matmut Stadium de Gerland on Saturday, 17 December 2022.
Clarey was sent off by the referee, Frank Murphy (Ireland), in the 66th minute of the match for tackling the Lyon replacement back row, Arno Botha (No 20), in a dangerous manner in contravention of Law 9.13.
Tommy Dalton (Ireland), Chair, Achille Reali (Italy) and Jonathan Walters (Wales) have been appointed as the independent Disciplinary Committee for the hearing which will take place by video conference this evening (Monday, 19 December).
Law 9.13 A player must not tackle an opponent dangerously
Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 9.13 relating to dangerous tackling carries the following sanction entry points – Low End: 2 weeks; Mid-range: 6 weeks; Top end: 10 to 52 weeks.
Red Card – Kitione Kamikamica (Racing 92)
The Racing 92 No 8, Kitione Kamikamica, was issued with a red card during his club’s Heineken Champions Cup, Round 2 match against Harlequins at the Twickenham Stoop on Sunday, 18 December 2022.
Kamikamica was sent off by the referee, Craig Evans (Wales), in the 51st minute of the match for tackling the Harlequins full back, Nick David (No 15), in a dangerous manner in contravention of Law 9.13.
Kim Moloney (Ireland), Chair, Simon Thomas (Wales) and Frank Hadden (Scotland) have been appointed as the independent Disciplinary Committee for the hearing which will take place by video conference on Wednesday (21 December).
Law 9.13 A player must not tackle an opponent dangerously
Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 9.13 relating to dangerous tackling carries the following sanction entry points – Low End: 2 weeks; Mid-range: 6 weeks; Top end: 10 to 52 weeks.
Red Card – Thomas Ramos (Stade Toulousain)
The Stade Toulousain full back, Thomas Ramos (No 15), was issued with a red card during his club’s Heineken Champions Cup, Round 2 match against Sale Sharks at Stade Ernest-Wallon on Sunday, 18 December 2022.
Ramos was sent off by the referee, Andrea PIardi (Italy), in the 80th minute for striking the Sale Sharks full back, Byron McGuigan (No 15), with his head in contravention of Law 9.11.
Daniel White (England), Chair, Donal Courtney (Ireland) and Bogdan Zebega (Romania) have been appointed as the independent Disciplinary Committee for the hearing which will take place by video conference on Wednesday (21 December).
Law 9.11 A player must not do anything that is reckless or dangerous to others.
Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 9.11 carries the following sanction entry points – Low End: 2 weeks; Mid-range: 6 weeks; Top end: 10 to 52 weeks.
Citing complaint – Thomas Ramos (Stade Toulousain)
EPCR has also received a citing complaint against the Stade Toulousain full-back, Thomas Ramos (No 15), arising from his club’s Heineken Champions Cup, Round 2 match against Sale Sharks at Stade Ernest-Wallon on Sunday, 18 December 2022.
Ramos is alleged to have made contact with the eye or eye area of the Sale Sharks scrum-half, Gus Warr (No 9), in the 56th minute of the match in contravention of Law 9.12.
The complaint was made by the match Citing Commissioner, Ed Kenny (Ireland).
Daniel White (England), Chair, Donal Courtney (Ireland) and Bogdan Zebega (Romania) have been appointed as the independent Disciplinary Committee for the hearing which will take place by video conference on Wednesday (21 December).
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.
Citing complaint – Alex Lozowski (Saracens)
EPCR has received a citing complaint against the Saracens centre, Alex Lozowski (No 13), arising from his club’s Heineken Champions Cup, Round 2 match against Lyon at the Matmut Stadium de Gerland on Saturday, 17 December 2022.
Lozowski is alleged to have struck the Lyon back row, Theo William (No 6), with his hand or arm in the 41st minute of the match in contravention of Law 9.12.
The complaint was made by the match Citing Commissioner, Ciaran Scally (Ireland).
Tommy Dalton (Ireland), Chair, Achille Reali (Italy) and Jonathan Walters (Wales) have been appointed as the independent Disciplinary Committee for the hearing which will take place by video conference this evening (Monday, 19 December).
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 hand or arm carries the following sanction entry points – Low End: 2 weeks; Mid-range: 6 weeks; Top end: 10 to 52 weeks.
Citing complaint – Henry Walker (Gloucester Rugby)
EPCR has received a citing complaint against the Gloucester Rugby hooker, Henry Walker (No 2), arising from his club’s Heineken Champions Cup, Round 2 match against Leinster Rugby at the RDS Arena on Friday, 16 December 2022.
Walker is alleged to have tackled the Leinster Rugby flanker, Josh van der Flier (No 7), in a dangerous manner in the 37th minute of the match in contravention of Law 9.13.
The complaint was made by the match Citing Commissioner, Paul Minto (Scotland).
An independent Judicial Officer, Roddy Macleod (Scotland), will consider the matter of sanction as the player has accepted the charge.
Law 9.13 A player must not tackle an opponent dangerously
Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 9.13 relating to dangerous tackling carries the following sanction entry points – Low End: 2 weeks; Mid-range: 6 weeks; Top end: 10 to 52 weeks.
EPCR CHALLENGE CUP
Red Card – Abraham Papali’i (CA Brive)
The CA Brive No 8, Abraham Papali’i, was issued with a red card during his club’s EPCR Challenge Cup, Round 2 match against Connacht Rugby at Stade Amédée Domenech on Friday, 16 December 2022.
Papali’i was sent off by the referee, Adam Leal (England), in the 20th minute of the match for tackling the Connacht Rugby back row, Shamus Hurley-Langton (No 7), in a dangerous manner in contravention of Law 9.13.
Robert Milligan KC (Scotland), Chair, Becky Essex (England), and Mitchell Read (England) have been appointed as the independent Disciplinary Committee for the hearing which will take place by video conference tomorrow (Tuesday, 20 December).
Law 9.13 A player must not tackle an opponent dangerously
Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 9.13 relating to dangerous tackling carries the following sanction entry points – Low End: 2 weeks; Mid-range: 6 weeks; Top end: 10 to 52 weeks.
Citing complaint – Tevita Ratuva (CA Brive)
EPCR has received a citing complaint against the CA Brive second row, Tevita Ratuva (No 5), arising from his club’s EPCR Challenge Cup, Round 2 match against Connacht Rugby at Stade Amédée Domenech on Friday, 16 December 2022.
Ratuva is alleged to have tackled the Connacht Rugby out-half, David Hawkshaw (No 10), in a dangerous manner in the 32nd minute of the match in contravention of Law 9.13.
The complaint was made by the match Citing Commissioner, Chris Sharp (England).
The independent Disciplinary Committee and date for the hearing which will take place by video conference will be confirmed shortly.
Notes
(i) Red Cards
a) The case of any player sent off in Heineken Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup matches shall be adjudicated by an independent Disciplinary Committee or an independent Judicial Officer as soon as is practicable.
b) Until the hearing the player is ineligible to play in any tournament.
(ii) Citing Commissioner
a) Citing Commissioners are appointed by EPCR for all Heineken Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup matches and shall be entitled to cite a player for any act or acts of Foul Play that in the Citing Commissioner’s opinion warranted a red card.
b) For such matches, clubs will not have the power to cite a player but may refer incidents to the Citing Commissioner within 26 hours of the start of the match.
c) The Citing Commissioner will have 26 hours from the start of the match to make a citing. In certain circumstances this deadline can be extended.
d) The tournament Disciplinary Officer may forward the submitted citing to a Citing Officer to determine whether there are sufficient grounds for the citing to progress.
e) The Disciplinary Officer will then bring a charge against the cited player.
(iii) Disciplinary Hearing
a) The independent Disciplinary Committee or independent Judicial Officer are chosen by the chairman of the independent Disciplinary Panel, Mike Hamlin.
b) EPCR’s Disciplinary Officer presents the case against the player.
c) If a decision is upheld, the Disciplinary Committee or Judicial Officer will be required to consider the appropriate sanction under World Rugby’s sanctioning regime, which EPCR is obliged to follow. The seriousness of the player’s actions will be first assessed in order to determine which of the three stipulated entry points (lower end, mid-range and top end) is the most appropriate.
d) The Disciplinary Committee or Judicial Officer will determine the appropriate entry point based on an assessment of a number of particular characteristics of the player’s actions, including whether or not they were intentional, whether or not they caused any injuries and whether or not they had any effect on the relevant match.
e) After deciding the entry point, the Disciplinary Committee or Judicial Officer will then consider whether the suspension should be increased from the entry point to take account of certain specified aggravating factors, such as a poor disciplinary record or the need for deterrence, and/or decreased from the entry point to take account of certain specified mitigating actions, such as a guilty plea, a good disciplinary record, the player’s conduct at the hearing and expressions of remorse.
f) A suspension is a blanket ban from playing rugby union anywhere in the world. Players are suspended on the basis that a one-week period of suspension would ordinarily result in a player missing one match. Suspensions take into account periods of inactivity (such as the close season), periods when a player is injured or otherwise not fit to play, and when a player is not available or not expected to play. Suspensions should also take into account any out-of-season matches which are not considered to be meaningful, or which are not close enough to the season to be a determining factor in a player’s future selection.
g) Both parties to the hearing (EPCR and the player) have the right to appeal decisions. Appeals must be lodged within three (3) working days of receiving the full written decision of the Disciplinary Committee or Judicial Officer.
h) The full written decision will be available on www.epcrugby.com/european-professional-club-rugby/discipline-news/hearing-decisions/ when the disciplinary process is complete.
i) For World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, found at Appendix 2 to World Rugby Regulation 17, go to world.rugby
Content & Images from – EPC Rugby
The Munster squad have started preparations at the HPC ahead of Saturday’s sold-out clash against the All Blacks XV at Thomond Park (5.30pm).
The game will be exclusively live-streamed on Access Munster, sign up here.
Pinergy, Munster Rugby’s official energy partner, are the presenting partners for the clash.
On the injury front, there were no fresh concerns following Saturday’s clash against the Sharks in Durban.
Peter O’Mahony (hamstring), who has been included in Ireland’s Autumn Nations Series squad but is continuing his rehabilitation at the HPC, will increase his training load this week. His availability for this weekend’s clash against the All Blacks XV will be determined later in the week.
Brian Gleeson (shoulder) and Diarmuid Kilgallen (leg) came through the weekend with no issues after returning to action with Garryowen in the AIL.
On the international front, Tadhg Beirne, Craig Casey, Jack Crowley, Conor Murray, Calvin Nash and Alex Kendellen have travelled to Portugal with the Ireland squad ahead of the Autumn Nations Series.
Continuing to rehab: Shane Daly (leg), Jeremy Loughman (knee), Alex Nankivell (hip), Josh Wycherley (neck), Mark Donnelly (ankle), Dave Kilcoyne (ankle), Oli Jager (neck), Liam Coombes (leg), Thaakir Abrahams (thigh), Patrick Campbell (shoulder), Cian Hurley (knee), Edwin Edogbo (Achilles), Roman Salanoa (knee).
Tickets
Saturday, November 2
Munster v All Blacks XV, Thomond Park, 5.30pm; SOLD OUT – Watch live on Access Munster here
URC Round 7: Saturday, November 30
Munster v Emirates Lions, Thomond Park, 7.35pm; Buy tickets here
Champions Cup Round 1: Saturday, December 7
Munster v Stade Francais, Thomond Park, 5:30pm; Buy tickets here
Champions Cup Round 3: Saturday, January 11
Munster v Saracens, Thomond Park, 5.30pm; Buy tickets here
URC Round 9: Friday, December 27
Munster v Leinster, Thomond Park, 7.35pm; Buy tickets here
URC Round 11: Saturday, February 15
Munster v Scarlets, Thomond Park, 5.15pm; Buy tickets here
URC Round 12: Friday, February 28
Munster v Edinburgh, Virgin Media Park, 7.35pm; Buy tickets here
URC Round 15: Saturday, April 19
Munster v Bulls, Thomond Park, 5.15pm; Buy tickets here
URC Round 17: Friday, May 9
Munster v Ulster, Thomond Park, 7.35pm; Buy tickets here
URC Round 18: Friday, May 16
Munster v Benetton, Virgin Media Park, 8pm; Buy tickets here
Images & Content from Munster Rugby
Munster Rugby and the IRFU are pleased to announce that Academy trio Tony Butler, Ethan Coughlan and Mark Donnelly will be promoted to the senior squad in the summer.
We can also confirm that hooker Scott Buckley, who graduated from the Academy to the senior squad in 2022, has signed a contract extension.
Out-half Butler, scrum-half Coughlan (both 21) and 22-year-old prop Donnelly have all signed on for the next two seasons after impressing over their three years in the Academy.
Butler and Coughlan become the first Ennis RFC players to earn senior Munster contracts.
As previously confirmed, Academy lock Edwin Edogbo (21), who also came up through the Munster Youths system with Cobh Pirates, will graduate from the Academy to the senior squad on a two-year deal next season.
Buckley, Butler, Coughlan and Donnelly all made their Munster debuts in the famous Champions Cup win over Wasps in December 2021.
Tony Butler in action against Dragons.
Ennis out-half Tony Butler has earned his first senior contract after a very productive three years in the Academy.
He has made six senior appearances to date, including two starts so far this season against Dragons and Connacht.
A Grand Slam winner with the Ireland U20s in 2022, Butler now plays his AIL rugby with Young Munster having previously lined out for Garryowen.
He captained Ennis at underage level, teaming up with Coughlan in the half-backs as they enjoyed success in the Munster U16 and U18 Clubs competitions.
Scrum-half Ethan Coughlan is enjoying an excellent campaign with three starts so far this year and eight senior appearances in total since joining the Academy.
He enjoyed great success alongside Butler with Ennis RFC at underage level before captaining the Ireland U18 Clubs team.
He also won a Grand Slam with the Ireland U20s in 2022 and plays his AIL rugby with Shannon.
Prop Mark Donnelly has already made nine senior appearances for Munster after coming up through the ranks at Midleton RFC, Midleton College and CBC.
He was a Pinergy Munster Schools Senior Cup winner with CBC in 2019 and featured for the Ireland U20s in the 2021 Six Nations.
He joined the Academy that summer before making his Munster debut along with Buckley, Butler and Coughlan against Wasps in December 2021
Along with his nine senior Munster appearances, Donnelly has also played regularly for Garryowen in the AIL over the past three years.
Mark Donnelly at Munster training.
Hooker Scott Buckley (23) has signed a one-year contract having made 25 appearances for Munster to date.
A product of the Munster Rugby Academy, Buckley started out with Kinsale RFC before captaining CBC to the Pinergy Munster Schools Senior Cup in 2019.
He was Player of the Match against Wasps on his Munster debut and made nine appearances last season as Munster won the URC title.
A UCC clubman, he scored the match-winning try against Crusaders at Páirc Ui Chaoimh earlier this month.
Scott Buckley scores a try against Leinster in pre-season.
Images & Content from Munster Rugby
Munster Rugby are pleased to confirm the signing of 23-year-old winger Diarmuid Kilgallen on a two-year deal ahead of the 2024/25 season.
In further contract news, hooker Eoghan Clarke has signed a one-year deal for next season after rejoining Munster in November.
Prop Keynan Knox has completed his time at the province after scoring three tries in 33 appearances and we wish him all the best for the future.
Diarmuid Kilgallen in action against Ulster in November.
Kilgallen hails from Eadestown in Kildare and has scored 12 tries in 22 appearances for Connacht to date.
He started out at Naas RFC before playing schools rugby for Cistercian College Roscrea on the Tipperary-Offaly border.
He joined the Connacht Academy in 2019 and made his debut against Munster in 2020.
A tall, athletic winger, he scored five tries in eight appearances last season and has five tries in six appearances so far this year.
Eoghan Clarke made his first start for Munster against Crusaders earlier this month.
25-year-old hooker Clarke has signed on for next year after impressing since returning to the province in November.
Clarke spent three years in the Munster Academy before departing for Jersey Reds in 2021. He won the English Championship with Jersey last season but the club went into liquidation in October.
He has made five appearances for Munster since returning, including a debut against Bayonne in December and a first start against Crusaders at Páirc Uí Chaoimh earlier this month.
24-year-old tighthead prop Knox departs after over seven years at Munster Rugby.
He joined the Academy midway through the 2017/18 season after completing his second level education with Michaelhouse in South Africa.
The Young Munster clubman made his senior debut against Dragons in September 2019 and moved up to the senior squad in 2020.
Knox featured in eight games last season as Munster clinched the URC title. In total, he scored three tries in 33 Munster appearances.
We wish Keynan all the best with his next move.
Keynan Knox at training last month.
Images & Content from Munster Rugby
Jordan signs for Bristol Bears
IRFU Announces Return Of ‘A’ Interprovincial Championship
