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.
Always was good to be a big battle but shorter season means the two games against Ulster carry so much. I feel for them that some serious names are missing as does Leinster but such is any season but especially this one with weird pre season some lads picking knocks more it seems. Hard game to call
@Scott Crossfield: we will see if leinster are a team who can get serious and bounce back. Lots of games so far have been easy enough. This one will not be one of those. I think conners will start at 7 as he seems to be able to stop the big carriers ulster have at 8 and 12 after that Ryan and baird with doris and ruddock, healy kelleher and porter make a seriously decent pack. They will need to step up or the league will slip them by