Australia captain James Horwill has been cleared to play in the final Test against the British and Irish Lions.

bbc

The International Rugby Board’s appeal against a citing commission’s decision to clear the lock forward of stamping in the first Test was turned down.

Horwill was cited after his boot came into contact with Alun Wyn Jones’ head as the Lions lock lay on the floor.

“I’m very relieved. I was confident because I know what happened and I’m glad the right result was made in the end,” said Horwill.

“It means a hell of a lot to me to lead my country in what is probably the biggest game since the World Cup final in 2003.

“I’m very excited by the opportunity and now we can focus on the game, which is what’s important. I feel vindicated by the ruling.”

Horwill, 28, brought his foot down on Jones’s head in the third minute of Australia’s 23-21 defeat in Brisbane and the Welsh second row subsequently required stitches in a wound above his eye.

Judicial officer Nigel Hampton QC cleared Horwill at the initial hearing after deciding he could not be certain the Australia captain had intentionally stamped on Jones while the Lions lock was lying on the floor.

That meant the Wallaby second row was free to lead Australia to a 16-15 win in the second Test in Melbourne on Saturday.

But there was criticism of the original judgement  and the IRB reacted by announcing on Thursday that it would appeal against the citing commission’s decision following an extensive review of the case.

That appeal was heard on Monday by independent appeal officer Graeme Mew, who is based in Canada.

Mew said: “There was sufficient evidence upon which a reasonable judicial officer could have reached the decision [to clear Horwill].

“Accordingly it could not be said that the judicial officer was manifestly wrong or that the interests of justice otherwise required his decision be overturned.”

He also stated that the IRB had correctly launched an appeal given the governing body’s role in ensuring player welfare, and protecting the image and reputation of the game.

Lions captain Sam Warburton has been ruled out by a hamstring injury suffered in the second Test.

Video Footage

The clip below shows footage of the incident where Horwill stamps on Alun Wyn Jones’ face. Looks like a pretty nasty stamp but from one slow motion angle it seems as if Horwill may not have had clear sight of where he was putting his foot. What is the general opinion did Horwill get lucky, or was the right decision made in the end?

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxw9WNhzhGg[/youtube]