BRIVE FLY-HALF MATTHIEU Ugalde has been suspended for 14 weeks after being found guilty of eye gouging in a Top14 match earlier this month.
The gouge was on Grenoble wing Armand Batlle as he scored a try and the 14-week suspension indicates it was viewed by officials to be a lower-grade offence, with eye gouging punishments ranging from 12 to 208 weeks.
Ugalde will return to action on 2 January, 2017.
After the match, Ugalde said: “Leaving the field, I did not remember this action. But my team-mates quickly asked me, ‘What have you done?’
“For me, it’s not a gouge. My fist was closed. I quickly went to talk to Armand Batlle and we saw each other at the post-match reception. He told me not to worry.”
However, Batlle added afterwards: ”He came to see me after the match which I appreciated, but I cannot condone his actions.”
The clash between Brive and Grenoble was a feisty affair with three red cards and three yellow cards issued during the 36-23 victory by Bernard Jackman’s side’s.
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Can’t help but wonder what if Ferris was still playing that would be a frightening back row.
True. Ferris would be an upgrade on Stander
Two bulldozers! Only one more sleep lads
Can’t wait to see them 3 get stuck in and cause complete mayhem
CJ and SOB are gona tear the frogs a new arsehole
When u think o mahony and Henderson has to come back into this squad,and Wat they both bring to De table,and with the quality ireland have right across all back positions now,and De quality coming through,irish rugby is definitely, at international level,in a great place..
Shame that knob jockey pape won’t be playing. We won’t get to see Seanie give him a cuddle!
Thought ruddock was on bench not TOD?
There was some confusion yesterday but it is the TOD.
It shows the quality we have in the back row when Ruddock can’t get in the 23.
Or when POM isn’t missed. (Tactically, personally we still miss him)
Disagree with that, I am biased against Munster and despite that I think he is arguably Ireland’s best forward – he is always immense when he plays for Ireland – I don’t think Stander, Henry or O’Donnell can match him
I’m a huge POM fan and really think he adds something extra. But if we lose we won’t be saying “of only Peter had been playing”. His replacement doesn’t fall THAT far short.
Just consider for a moment Henderson playing at 6 along with Stander at 8 and O’Brien at 7.
That would be the dream combination
Just need to find pace on the Inge and power in the second row and then we have a team to be feared
I’d have Henderson at second row. Completely fills the position but the advantage of another back row in the loose.
You’d sort of be missing Heaslip at 8 there, lad
Can’t wait for an ireland win..