Andy Warwick cited after controversial Manu Tuilagi tackle

Ulster prop Andy Warwick has been cited following his tackle on Sale Sharks’ Manu Tuilagi on Sunday which forced the centre to leave the field of play.

The tackle occurred on 33 minutes at the AJ Bell Stadium in Sale’s 39-0 Heineken Champions Cup win, and saw a head-on-head collision between the tackler Warwick and the ball carrier Tuilagi. Referee Mathieu Raynal deemed there was no foul play, however, after saying the England centre initiated the contact.

That decision by the Frenchman has been much discussed by fans and pundits after the match, and there has been a struggle to reach a consensus as to what the correct response should have been.

Was Warwick lucky to avoid a card here? 🟥🟨#ChampionsCup | Credit: @btsportrugby pic.twitter.com/hsGUF3Wa6K

— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) December 11, 2022

Elsewhere, Sharks prop Ox Nche has also been cited following his red card against Harlequins on Saturday for a tackle that was not too dissimilar to Warwick’s. London Irish’s Agustin Creevy has also been cited for his slightly more clearcut red against Montpellier.

In the Challenge Cup, Pau coach Sébastien Piqueronies has been cited for his altercation with referee Sam Grove-White. The Cheetahs’ Oupa Mohoje and the Newcastle Falcons’ Charlie Maddison have also been cited.

An EPCR statement reads: “EPCR has received a citing complaint against the Ulster Rugby prop, Andy Warwick (No 1), arising from his club’s Heineken Champions Cup, Round 1 match against Sale Sharks at the AJ Bell Stadium on Sunday, 11 December 2022.

“Warwick is alleged to have tackled the Sale Sharks centre, Manu Tuilagi (No 12), in a dangerous manner in the 33rd minute of the match in contravention of Law 9.13.
Roger Morris (Wales), Chair, Frank Hadden (Scotland) and Leon Lloyd (England) have been appointed as the independent Disciplinary Committee for the hearing which will take place by video conference on Thursday (15 December).

“The complaint was made by the match Citing Commissioner, Wejdane Limame (France).

“Law 9.13 A player must not tackle an opponent dangerously
Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 9.13 relating to dangerous tackling carries the following sanction entry points – Low End: 2 weeks; Mid-range: 6 weeks; Top end: 10 to 52 weeks.”