Mixed news for the British and Irish Lions of 2013 for this week, with the injured Cian Healy cited for biting whereas his replacement for the Tour has been named and called up, Alex Corbisiero.
Not only is Cian Healy injured, having injured his ankle against the Western Force, bit there is the serious allegation that he has bitten Brett Sheehan in the same match.
What needs clarification is how the British and Irish Lions can call up a replacement for Healy if he is going to be banned after facing the Judicial Hearing, yet Alex Corbisiero has been called up as a replacement for Healy already.
Cian Healy cited for biting:
Cian Healy has been cited for acts contrary to good sportsmanship, after being accused of btining Western Force scrumhalf Brett Sheehan in the opening match of theor Australian tour.
Citing commissioner Freek Burger made the decision after he took a statement from Sheehan, after he made the complaint about Healy during the first half of the Lions’ 69-17 win in Perth.
Healy has been cited under Law 10.4 (m): Acts contrary to good sportsmanship, a player may not bite an opponent.
The incident occurred in the 17th minute.
Healy will appear at a judicial hearing in Perth on Friday 7 June after the initial hearing which was supposed to have taken place on Thursday, June 6, was postponed.
Sheehan remonstrated angrily with the Irishman and pointed to his arm after a melee near the Force tryline. But video replays showed nothing incriminating.
Possible punishments in the event of a guilty verdict were unclear.
Previous penalties for biting include an 18-month suspension handed down to South African Johan Le Roux in 1994 and a six-month ban for England’s Kevin Yates in 1998.
However, Healy could be set for a spell on the sidelines anyway after he was stretchered off with suspected ankle ligament damage and sent to hospital for X-rays.
Force coach Michael Foley played down the biting allegation, which clouded the Lions’ first game in Australia.
“It’s been left on the field,” he said. “It was dealt with by the referee at the time.”
Lions head coach Warren Gatland said he had little knowledge about the incident.
“I know as much about it as you know,” the New Zealander told reporters.
“I think the citing guy has had a look at it and he can’t find anything.”
Sheehan had earlier indicated he was prepared to “move on”.
“I’m not sure if it was an accident or on purpose, so we’ll move on,” Sheehan said in a half-time interview.
Meanwhile Irish scrumhalf Conor Murray was also in the firing line with Burger investigating claims he trampled on Force youngster Ed Stubbs in the second half.
Gatland has repeatedly warned about the importance of discipline after England’s Dylan Hartley missed the tour over unguarded comments to a referee and Owen Farrell reacted angrily to a punch in Saturday’s win over the Barbarians.
Corbisiero called up:
Alex Corbisiero has been called up to join the Lions from the England squad currently touring Argentina, as cover for Ireland prop Cian Healy.
London Irish loose head Corbisiero will leave Salta where England play the first of two Tests against the Pumas on Saturday, on the first leg of his trip to Australia.
British & Irish Lions Head Coach Warren Gatland said, “Cian has had an X-ray and, while his left ankle is not broken, he will be assessed further when we get to Brisbane. ”
“In the meantime we need to get Alex over here as soon as possible and I am thankful to Stuart Lancaster for letting him go so quickly.”
England tour management have said that they have no plans to add a replacement to their squad in Argentina at this stage.
“We’re delighted for Alex,” said England Head Coach Stuart Lancaster.
“It’s very pleasing for him after he missed the Six Nations through injury and he goes with our full support and blessing. ”
“All the England players and management couldn’t be more pleased for him to get this opportunity.”