Gloucester’s Ross Moriarty (left) and Bill Meakes (right)
Meakes suspended for 2 weeks:
The Gloucester centre, Bill Meakes, has been suspended for 2 weeks following an independent Disciplinary Hearing in Dublin yesterday (Thursday 7 May) arising from the European Challenge Cup final against Edinburgh at the Twickenham Stoop on Friday 1 May 2015.
Meakes was sent off by referee, Jérôme Garcès (France), in the 64th minute of the match for an alleged dangerous tackle on the Edinburgh centre, Sam Beard (No 13), in contravention of Law 10.4(e).
Law 10.4(e) Dangerous tackling. A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously.
Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 10.4(e), Dangerous tackling of an opponent carries the following sanction entry points: Low End: 2 weeks; Mid-Range: 6 weeks; Top End: 10 to 52 weeks.
The independent Judicial Officer, Mark McParland (Ireland), heard evidence and submissions from Meakes, who accepted the Red Card decision, from the Gloucester Director of Rugby, David Humphreys, and from the EPCR Disciplinary Officer.
In upholding the Red Card decision, the Judicial Officer found that Meakes had committed a dangerous, high tackle on a player without the ball. He determined that the offence was at the low end of World Rugby’s sanctions and selected 2 weeks as the appropriate entry point.
He added 1 week to take into account World Rugby’s memorandum on high tackling, and then reduced the sanction by the maximum of 1 week due to the player’s clean disciplinary record, early expression of remorse, guilty plea and good conduct at the hearing, before imposing a suspension of 2 weeks.
Meakes is free to play on Monday 18 May 2015. Both the player and EPCR have the right to appeal the decision.
Moriarty suspended for 2 weeks:
The Gloucester Rugby back row, Ross Moriarty, has been suspended for 2 weeks following an independent Disciplinary Hearing in Dublin yesterday (Thursday 7 May).
Moriarty was cited by the match Citing Commissioner, Yves Thieffine (France), for allegedly striking the Edinburgh replacement, Fraser McKenzie, with his knee in the 54th minute of the European Rugby Challenge Cup final at the Twickenham Stoop on Friday 1 May 2015.
10.4(a) Punching or striking. A player must not strike an opponent with the fist or arm, including the elbow, shoulder, head or knee(s):
Under World Rugby’s sanctions for Foul Play, Law 10.4(a) Striking a player with the knee, carries the following sanction entry points – Low End: 3 weeks; Mid-Range: 8 weeks; Top End: 12+ to 52 weeks.
The independent Judicial Officer, Mark McParland (Ireland), heard submissions and evidence from Moriarty, who pleaded guilty to the offence, from the Gloucester Director of Rugby, David Humphreys, and from the EPCR Disciplinary Officer.
In upholding the citing complaint, the Judicial Officer found that Moriarty had committed an act of foul play. He determined that the offence was at the low end of World Rugby’s sanctions and selected 3 weeks as the appropriate entry point.
As there were no aggravating factors, and taking into account the player’s guilty plea, expression of remorse and good conduct during the hearing, the Judicial Officer reduced the sanction by 1 week before imposing a suspension of 2 weeks.
Moriarty is free to play on Monday 18 May 2015. Both the player and EPCR have the right to appeal the decision.
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