LIONS PROP CIAN HEALY was relieved to get allegations of biting dismissed before it was confirmed extensive ankle ligament damage had prematurely ended his tour.
Healy, who was stretchered off the pitch in the Lions 69-17 victory over Western Force, was forced to defend his actions on-field after scrumhalf Brett Sheehan claimed he had been bitten. The judicial officer, Nigel Hampton QC, cleared the Dubliner to play after declaring there was no way to prove that Sheehan’s had been marked by a “deliberate bite”.
Healy said, “I am very relieved that the hearing has cleared me of such an allegation. I was naturally very disappointed that there was a citing in the first place. I always maintained that nothing happened and that I had done nothing illegal. The opposition player’s arm hit me. It is as simple as that.
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“The support I had from the management and all the lads was wonderful and I am glad that it is all over.”
Lions tour manager Andy Irvine commented, “We are very pleased with the outcome of today’s judicial hearing in Brisbane. The judicial officer was extremely fair and thoroughly considered all the facts of the case in great detail.
We always believed that Cian had done nothing wrong and had not acted maliciously in any way. The decision was important to the player’s and indeed squad’s integrity as the allegation was a serious one.”
Meanwhile, while the majority of British and Irish Lions supporters were sleeping, Australia went into a temporary meltdown when a rumour emerged that star scrumhalf Will Genia had broken an ankle in training.
Wallaby fans were in a quiver when word of a Genia training ground injury, picked up after a purported Adam Ashley Cooper tackle, spread like wildfire across social media. Matt Rowley, editor of the Green and Gold Rugby website, contact the Wallabies and got this soothing message in response.
Scotland’s Ryan Grant is the third player to receive a call to act as cover as Wales’ Gethin Jenkins is still struggling with a calf injury. Mako Vunipola will take his place in the starting XV to face Queensland Reds.
Jonny Wilkinson does not look likely to appear as late cover this summer. The Toulon outhalf, Jenkins’ teammate, is having an operation to correct a groin injury.
'I'm glad that it's all over' - Healy relieved after biting allegations prove toothless
LIONS PROP CIAN HEALY was relieved to get allegations of biting dismissed before it was confirmed extensive ankle ligament damage had prematurely ended his tour.
Healy, who was stretchered off the pitch in the Lions 69-17 victory over Western Force, was forced to defend his actions on-field after scrumhalf Brett Sheehan claimed he had been bitten. The judicial officer, Nigel Hampton QC, cleared the Dubliner to play after declaring there was no way to prove that Sheehan’s had been marked by a “deliberate bite”.
Healy said, “I am very relieved that the hearing has cleared me of such an allegation. I was naturally very disappointed that there was a citing in the first place. I always maintained that nothing happened and that I had done nothing illegal. The opposition player’s arm hit me. It is as simple as that.
“The support I had from the management and all the lads was wonderful and I am glad that it is all over.”
Lions tour manager Andy Irvine commented, “We are very pleased with the outcome of today’s judicial hearing in Brisbane. The judicial officer was extremely fair and thoroughly considered all the facts of the case in great detail.
Meanwhile, while the majority of British and Irish Lions supporters were sleeping, Australia went into a temporary meltdown when a rumour emerged that star scrumhalf Will Genia had broken an ankle in training.
Wallaby fans were in a quiver when word of a Genia training ground injury, picked up after a purported Adam Ashley Cooper tackle, spread like wildfire across social media. Matt Rowley, editor of the Green and Gold Rugby website, contact the Wallabies and got this soothing message in response.
Scotland’s Ryan Grant is the third player to receive a call to act as cover as Wales’ Gethin Jenkins is still struggling with a calf injury. Mako Vunipola will take his place in the starting XV to face Queensland Reds.
Jonny Wilkinson does not look likely to appear as late cover this summer. The Toulon outhalf, Jenkins’ teammate, is having an operation to correct a groin injury.
Cian Healy cleared of biting after citing hearing
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