RONAN O’GARA COULD be left kicking himself if he is suspended for Munster’s Heineken Cup finale against Racing Metro.
The ERC confirmed this evening that O’Gara has been cited following an off-the-ball clash with Edinburgh’s Sean Cox at Murrayfield yesterday.
TV cameras picked up the incident in the 65th minute as the out-half kicked out at Cox from behind, sparking a scuffle between players from both sides.
Referee Greg Garner and his assistants took no action at the time but the incident was spotted by citing commissioner Alberto Recaldini who filed a complaint. O’Gara must now appear at a disciplinary hearing in Dublin this Thursday, 17 January, where his case will be heard by HHJ Jeff Blackett, the independent judicial officer.
Under Law 10.4 (c) of the IRB Sacntions for Foul Play, sanctions for kicking an opponent begin at four weeks for low end offences, eight weeks for mid-range and 12 weeks for top end.
The incident cast a shadow over Munster’s 26-17 win and raises the strong possibility that Rob Penney will be without his preferred number 10 for Sunday’s qualification decider in Thomond Park.
Failure to secure a winning bonus point yesterday leaves Munster on 15 points ahead of their final pool match, marginally better than Leinster by virtue of having scored one more try as the two Irish provinces battle for the final place in the knockout rounds.
VIDEO: Ronan O’Gara to face disciplinary charge for Cox kick
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCkHxSk3xWY
YouTube Credit: LasGarzas11
Updated 7.05pm
RONAN O’GARA COULD be left kicking himself if he is suspended for Munster’s Heineken Cup finale against Racing Metro.
The ERC confirmed this evening that O’Gara has been cited following an off-the-ball clash with Edinburgh’s Sean Cox at Murrayfield yesterday.
TV cameras picked up the incident in the 65th minute as the out-half kicked out at Cox from behind, sparking a scuffle between players from both sides.
Referee Greg Garner and his assistants took no action at the time but the incident was spotted by citing commissioner Alberto Recaldini who filed a complaint. O’Gara must now appear at a disciplinary hearing in Dublin this Thursday, 17 January, where his case will be heard by HHJ Jeff Blackett, the independent judicial officer.
Under Law 10.4 (c) of the IRB Sacntions for Foul Play, sanctions for kicking an opponent begin at four weeks for low end offences, eight weeks for mid-range and 12 weeks for top end.
The incident cast a shadow over Munster’s 26-17 win and raises the strong possibility that Rob Penney will be without his preferred number 10 for Sunday’s qualification decider in Thomond Park.
Failure to secure a winning bonus point yesterday leaves Munster on 15 points ahead of their final pool match, marginally better than Leinster by virtue of having scored one more try as the two Irish provinces battle for the final place in the knockout rounds.
Opinion: 3 Heineken Cup wins from 4 but foreboding sense remains
‘We’re disappointed that we didn’t get another 1 or 2 tries’ – Isaac Boss
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