DECLAN KIDNEY HAS received a much-needed boost this afternoon with the news that the appeal against Cian Healy’s ban has been upheld by 6 Nations chiefs.
The Leinster forward will now be available for selection against France in Dublin on 9 March. Healy was cited for stamping on England’s Joe Marler during the 6-12 loss at the Aviva Stadium.
“Appeal successful,” the player tweeted earlier. “3-week suspension will finish on 3rd march, so now available for selection v France. Very happy with this. #church”
The ban was spread over four weeks in an attempt to take account of the first ‘break’ weekend of the Six Nations, the concern among officials being Healy could simply have used up a week of the ban when he would not have been playing in any event.
But matters were complicated by the fact that on the ‘break’ weekend his province, Leinster, had a Pro12 match against Italian side Treviso.
Leinster wanted him to play in that fixture but were told by officials that Healy, who also missed last weekend’s 12-8 Six Nations loss away to Scotland, was barred from that match too. However, Healy argued extending the three week suspension over four weekends was not permissible under the relevant regulations.
And an independent disciplinary appeal committee, chaired by Scotland’s Professor Lorne Crerar agreed on Wednesday, saying they “therefore concluded that Cian Healy’s suspension should end at midnight on Sunday, 3 March 2013, and not a midnight on Sunday, 10 March 2013.”
Tempers flared in the 14th minute of England’s victory in Dublin when Healy used his boot on rival front row Cole’s ankle at a ruck formed following a collapsed maul, sparking a mass brawl. Match referee Jerome Garces of France took no action at the time, but Healy was cited by Italian citing commissioner Alberto Recadini.
Last Sunday, injuries and Healy’s suspension forced Ireland coach Declan Kidney into making five changes at Murrayfield, with the looshead prop’s place taken by Tom Court.
This weekend is the second ‘break’ in the Six Nations, with the tournament resuming on 9 March. Ireland are currently fourth in the table, having beaten champions Wales in Cardiff on the first weekend only to since lose to England and Scotland.
- additional reporting AFP
He must really not like his brother.
Think it’s just good retirement planning by the parents. He signs his brother to take over the carers role.
A head scratcher if ever there was one.
Hate to slate a loyal servant but, it makes sense he allowed John afoa to go to Gloucester then.
Does make you wonder!
Not at all, that was a done deal long ago and Gloucester on sacked their present director last week.
NO ONE saw this coming, a real shocker!
Wow, I did not see that one coming! He was Mr Ulster, and I wouldn’t imagine he was anywhere near completing his objectives he had outlined with Ulster. Still, we should be able to attract a top class director. Conor O’Shea?
Big of a shock especially after the transformation that has happened up in Ulster the last few years…maybe he felt he couldn’t take them on any further?
Head coach
Mark Mc Call?
Not so strange. Frustration at the lack of success. By moving to Gloucester is he saying this is as far as I can take Ulster at this time? Is he saying that the powers that be do not share his ambition? What does Gloucester offer that he cannot achieve with Ulster? Shane Logan’s comments are curious, particularly regarding development as Ulster has a single representative in U20 in the junior world cup and a senior squad that can beat the best in Europe but has no trophies. Has the wrong man left Ulster?
That’s a strange one didn’t see that coming,are you any relation to charlize theron?
Hope it’s not a sign of things to come with the new financial clout of the premiership & top14 deals. I had worried about losing players but managers & directors are just as important.
Is it because there are simply too many too comfortable in their roles at Ulster paying lip service to sharing the vision or is it because he has read which way the financial wind is blowing?
Sad day for Ulster Rugby. Brilliant player, captain and leader. He spotted and attracted the best players and brought them to Belfast.
After 91 years you just can’t write off Ravenhill and its rugby history despite new stadium name. More to this story.
But can they afford to let ambition walk out the door?
If David was the director of rugby what was the title for Mark Anscombe ?
Coach
It was probably in the works for a while, but just officially announced today, in case it was a distraction during the tail end of the season. Real surprise though