Shingler gets four weeks ban for tip tackle at Cardiff

Posted on Nov 24, 2011 in Cardiff Blues, London Irish

Steven Shingler will serve a 4 week ban as a result of a “tip tackle” he made on Cardiff centre, Dafydd Hewitt in London Irish’s loss to the Blues at the City of Cardiff Stadium.

The former Scarlet could have found himself out of the game for twice as long however, had it not been for his previously good record and guilty plea. Independent judicial officer, Roger Morris determined the tackle was at the mid-range entry point of six weeks and added two weeks as “a deterrent against this pattern of offending”, but reduced the penalty by four weeks in consideration of Shingler coming clean and his clear record.

A Disciplinary Hearing as a result of the red card issued to Steven Shingler, the London Irish player (No 12), during the Heineken Cup, Pool 2 match against Cardiff Blues at Cardiff City Stadium on Friday, 18 November 2011 was conducted today (Wednesday, 23 November 2011).

The red card was issued in the 20th minute of the first half by referee, Jerome Garces (France), for a dangerous tackle on the Cardiff Blues centre, Dafydd Hewitt (No 12), in contravention of Law 10.4(j).

The independent Judicial Officer, Roger Morris (Wales), heard submissions from Shingler, the London Irish Head Coach Toby Booth, Team Manager Kieran McCarthy  and ERC Disciplinary Officer, Roger O’Connor, before determining that the tackle was at the mid-range entry point of six (6) weeks.

As a deterrent against the this pattern of offending within the game the Judicial Officer added a further two (2) weeks to the entry point of six (6) weeks, but having taken into account the player’s guilty plea and clear record, he decided on a reduction of four (4) weeks.

Shingler is therefore suspended for four (4) weeks from the date of the match and will be free to play on Monday, 19 December 2011. Both the player and ERC have the right  to appeal the decision.

Law 10.4(j) Dangerous tackle – Lifting a player from the ground and either dropping or driving that player’s head and/or upper body into the ground whilst the player’s feet are off the ground

Under the IRB Recommended Sanctions for Offences Committed within the Playing Enclosure, Law 10.4 (j), carries the following penalties: Lower End: 3 weeks; Mid Range: 6 weeks; Top End: 10+ to 52 weeks

Kiwi Sean Romans completes trio of November signings for Nottingham

Posted on Nov 23, 2011 in Championship, English Rugby, Nottingham

Nottingham Rugby has completed the signing of New Zealand scrum half Sean Romans, to make it a trio of international players completing their move to Meadow Lane this month.

Romans (26) from Christchurch, has plenty of experience in both the New Zealand Provincial Cup, playing for Otago, as well as Super 14 Rugby, having played 11 times for the Highlanders. He also has two international caps, having played for the Junior All Blacks in 2009 in the IRB Pacific Nations Cup.

Nottingham’s Director of Rugby, Glenn Delaney commented:

“Sean is a great signing for the club and brings with him a lot of experience from New Zealand Rugby. We have been a little light at scrum half, with both Nathan (Jones) and Finlay (Barnham) carrying slight knocks through the first half of the season, meaning we have been a little exposed.

“We knew Tim Usasz wasn’t coming back to the club after the World Cup, but agreed not to announce his departure until after that time. Tim has been a great servant to Nottingham and I would like to thank him for what he has helped us achieved here, and we all wish him well for the future. But we have to move on and we’ve been looking at who we could bring in, and I am delighted with Sean’s signing.”

Romans becomes the third scrum half at Nottingham, joining Nathan Jones (27) and Finlay Barnham (21), who have been sharing the scrum half duties so far this season. He has signed a contract with Nottingham which will see him stay with the club until at least the end of the season.

Delaney added:

“Sean’s signing provides us with greater strength in depth and a healthy competition for places in the scrum half position. We’re almost half way through the season, but have got a long way to go to be in with a chance when it comes to the play offs and cup knockout. We have always wanted to expand the squad – both in terms of quantity and quality.”

Romans is awaiting clearance of his visa application, but is expected to join up with the Green and Whites later this month. He will be joining fellow Kiwi signing Brent Wilson and the experienced Samoan Filipo Levi at Nottingham, as the club continues to develop the playing squad.

Nottingham were in action against Plymouth in the League last weekend and completed a bonus point win with their fourth try in injury time to move up a place to 7th in the table. The Green and Whites have another home league match this weekend, entertaining Moseley in the Charity Match for The Prince’s Trust on Sunday, kick off 3pm. Wins in their next two league games should see Nottingham climb further up the table as they push for a place in the end of season play-offs and a chance at promotion to the Premiership.

Benjamin banned for a week

Posted on Nov 8, 2011 in English Rugby, Premiership, Worcester Warriors

MILES BENJAMIN of Worcester Warriors was tonight banned for one week for a dangerous tackle on London Wasps’ Nicky Robinson during the Aviva Premiership match at Sixways on October 28.

Benjamin pleaded guilty before a Rugby Football Union Disciplinary Panel of Daniel White (chair), Mike Curling and John Doubleday who imposed a suspension from November 8 to 14. He can play again on November 15.

The panel deemed that the offence merited a low end entry point sanction and gave the player credit for his guilty plea and good record.

Ian Clark of Hartpury RFC was suspended for two weeks after he pleaded guilty to striking a Redruth player with his head during the National 2 South match on October 8.

The suspension runs from October 11 (the date Hartpury imposed a three-game suspension on Clark) to October 21 (he resumed playing on October 22) and from November 8 to 10. He can play again on November 11.

Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu suspended

Posted on Nov 8, 2011 in English Rugby, Gloucester, Premiership

Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu of Gloucester Rugby was tonight banned for three weeks after being found guilty of two charges of Conduct prejudicial to the interests of the Game contrary to Rule 5.12 of the Rules of the Rugby Football Union.
The RFU Disciplinary Panel of Daniel White (chair), Mike Curling and John Doubleday suspended Fuimaono-Sapolu from November 8 to 28. He can play again on November 29.

The Panel found that Fuimaono-Sapolu made or adopted from other users of Twitter, critical or sarcastic comments about the rugby disciplinary process and made, or adopted from other users of Twitter, critical comments about the Rugby World Cup and the International Rugby Board on his Twitter account.

The Panel dismissed the charge of making or adopting from other users of Twitter, insulting or provocative comments about Owen Farrell, a professional rugby player, on his Twitter account.

Panel chair Daniel White said: “The Twitter forum is not one for ‘banter’ and is not the equivalent of a clubhouse discussion – it is in fact a public forum, and for that reason players should be guarded in what is said and therefore endorsed. We note that over 13,000 people are registered to follow Mr Fuimaono-Sapolu on Twitter. It should be noted that young people, those learning the sport and the public at large look to people in his position and for these reasons we have imposed a sentence designed to deter others who may be tempted to act in this way.” 

This finding does not necessarily trigger the suspended sentence imposed on October 15 by the International Rugby Board for breaches of the Rugby World Cup 2011/International Rugby Board Code of Conduct.

The Panel is keen to stress that this decision stands alone and that it is a matter for the IRB to determine whether the actions of Fuimaono-Sapolu constituted a breach of the conditions of that sanction.

Cornish Pirates: ‘Canuck’ is signed as cover for Wes

Posted on Oct 24, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

With news confirmed that the injury suffered by Wes Davies at Nottingham last week is worse than first thought, and that he has undergone an operation to repair an Achilles tendon and is likely to be unavailable for some time, the Cornish Pirates have reacted quickly to replenish their squad by announcing a new signing.

Canadian international full-back Matt Evans, aged 23, who has been a star performer for the ‘Canucks’ since making his debut in 2008 and has just competed in the Rugby World Cup, will join the Cornish Pirates early in November following next weekend’s Pan American Games rugby 7s competition being held in Guadalajara, Mexico.

A former Hartpury College and Newport Gwent Dragons player, who was actually born in Salisbury, England, Matt’s best considered positions are full-back and wing, but he also has the skill set to play anywhere in the backline, except scrum-half.

Cornish Pirates supporters will be looking forward to welcoming the latest new signing, but will also be sad to hear the news regarding Wes Davies who has played superbly this past couple of years during what has been his second spell with the club.

With reference to the singing of Matt Evans, Cornish Pirates CEO Rod Coward commented:

"In announcing that we have signed Matt Evans as cover for an unfortunate Wes, I can confirm that he comes highly recommended and we have been watching his progress for some time. Supporters will remember him for his performances against the Pirates for Gwent Dragons and Newport.

"Matt has played 16 times for Canada, most recently at the World Cup, and has scored eight tries. He also represents Canada at 7s and will be joining us on the 2nd of November."