Cardiff Blues eighthman Xavier Rush has beeen suspended for one week for a dangerous tackle on Northampton Saints lock Courtney Lawes.
Rush was shown a red card in the 55th minute of the second half by referee Jerome Garces during the Heineken Cup Pool 1 match against Northampton Saints at Cardiff City Stadium on Sunday, 19 December, 2010
The independent Disciplinary panel decided that the tackle was at the low entry point of two (2) weeks and that it was a recklessly effected tackle with no intent by Mr Rush to make contact as high as he did.
The panel felt that there was no intent to cause injury as Lawes appeared to almost be on one knee at the time of impact.
Rush pleaded guilty but his past record was taken into account as well as the way he showed remorse which cut his ban to one week up to and including 27 December and is free to play on 28 December.
Speaking of the decision Cardiff Blues Director of Rugby, David Young, said,”We have got cover in the Backrow with Tom Brown, Andries Pretorius and Maama Molitika able to play at Number 8 but obviously want to go into the festive derbies with our best players.”
“Xavier Rush is not a dirty player and we felt the sending off was quite harsh.”
“It’s good news that he will be available for selection for our match against the Ospreys on New Year’s Eve.”