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Bryan Keane/INPHO

Northampton's Tom Wood handed three-week ban for JVDF hit

He’ll be free to play again when the sides meet in round three.

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS BACK row Tom Wood has been given a three-week ban for his dangerous clear-out of Josh van der Flier during their Champions Cup loss away to Leinster on Saturday.

The incident was reviewed by referee Pierre Brousset late in the second half, but no action was taken against the flanker until he was cited for a disciplinary hearing.

That hearing took place today and upheld the citing complaint that stated the Saints man had ‘made contact with Van der Flier’s neck and head area in a dangerous manner which warranted a red card.’

The disciplinary panel deemed the offence worthy of a mid-range entry-point sanction of four weeks, which was reduced by one week on account of his guilty plea and show of remorse. The three-week ban will leave Wood free to play again when Leinster visit Franklin’s Gardens on 15 January.

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    Mute Cian Nolan
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 8:48 PM

    That referee had better be sanctioned also. Appauling decision at the time.

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    Mute Niall Byrne
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 8:53 PM

    Is there any retrospective sanction possible on the ref?

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    Mute TL55
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 9:22 PM

    @Niall Byrne: Only demotion to a lower game next round or maybe no game.

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    Mute Jim Demps
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 9:03 PM

    Think the ban is about right, 4 weeks down to 3. Should have been a red at the time but anything more than that would be excessive.

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    Mute Batster
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 11:25 PM

    @Jim Demps: Agreed, bad hit and bad call by the ref but nothing more.

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    Mute Brian Waldron
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    Dec 24th 2020, 9:20 AM

    @Jim Demps: I agree. And looking at it live it was clear. What is wrong with these weak refs who then see four more angles and think it’s ok.

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    Mute Brian Waldron
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    Dec 24th 2020, 9:20 AM

    @Jim Demps: I agree. And looking at it live it was clear. What is wrong with these refs who then see four more angles and think it’s ok.

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    Mute William Joyce
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 9:22 PM

    Ref should be sanctioned no doubt.

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    Mute Hugh
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 9:19 PM

    Ref and Tmo deserve a suspension as well

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    Mute Aidan Sweeney
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 10:48 PM

    @Hugh: the tmo went as far as he could even was a fairly incredulous at the refs opinion
    But the call is the refs and he has to leave that call to him

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    Mute Nag Damnit
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    Dec 24th 2020, 3:29 AM

    @Hugh: can’t blame the TMO. Ref makes the call, TMO can only highlight it.

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    Mute John O Reilly
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 9:03 PM

    On a positive note , at least in this sport a sanction can be handed out after a match , Little consolation to Leinster I suppose, but at least it wasn’t a tight game

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    Mute Isa
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 11:00 PM

    @John O Reilly: Its bigger than leinster in fairness, its about making sure guys like VDF don’t end up like Steve Thompson

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    Mute Con Cussed
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    Dec 24th 2020, 8:23 AM

    I would dearly love to see a ref on the TV rugby panels critiquing the performance of other refs, including TMO. Just like ex players critiquing their peers it would be good to have the inside opinion of an expert, such as Nigel Owens. It can’t but be good for the game.

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    Mute Will
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    Dec 24th 2020, 12:14 AM

    Finally a bit of sense!! I was getting tired of this ridiculous phrase “rugby collision” which people were throwing around to justify it. It was a dangerous act, simple.

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