Blow for leaders Bath as Sam Underhill's season appears to be over

Bath will have to make do without Sam Underhill for what remains of the Gallagher Premiership season after the England openside was handed a four-week ban.

Underhill’s high tackle on Lyon fullback, Davit Niniashvili, in last Friday’s EPCR Challenge Cup final win, was deemed a mid-entry point offence.

Underhill accepted that he had committed an act of foul play, but did not accept that it warranted a red card. But the independent disciplinary committee upheld the complaint from Lyon, finding that Underhill had tackled Davit Niniashvili in a dangerous manner that warranted a red card.

Referee Hollie Davidson had, controversially, only handed Underhill a yellow card in the 26th minute of the match.

Because of Underhill’s admission of foul play and his remorse, the six-week ban for a mid-entry point offence was reduced by two weeks to four. However,  Underhill’s poor disciplinary record – he was sent off in the Round of 16 clash against Pau, ironically when Davidson was the referee – counted against the ban being cut any further.

As a result, Underhill will miss this weekend’s final match of the regular season at Saracens, which he was likely to be rested for anyway, as well as the home semi-final on Friday, June 6th, and if Bath make it to the Allianz Stadium, the Gallagher Premiership final eight days later.

EPCR have not listed the games included in the ban because it is not yet known whether Underhill will tour with England this summer. If Bath crash out of the semi-finals, it could jeopardise his chances of making the trip to Argentina and the USA.

An EPCR statement said: “The date when Underhill can return to play will be determined once his future playing schedule is confirmed.”

Underhill can appeal the decision.

While losing a player of Underhill’s calibre is a blow – he was Bath’s most dominant tackler against Lyon in another Lion-hearted performance, Bath are blessed with riches in the back row.

Guy Pepper is a brilliant option, at either six or seven, while Miles Reid can play anywhere across the back row. Ted Hill and Josh Bayliss are both top-drawer players, but are sixes rather than sevens, while Alfie Barbeary and Arthur Green are out-and-out No.8s, so Ethan Staddon, a specialist openside, could have a big part to play in covering the position.

Staddon has impressed in the Premiership Rugby Cup and Challenge Cup-winning campaigns, but has had few opportunities in the Premiership. His only league start of the season came in the defeat to Bristol in Cardiff earlier this month.