Date set for Jonathan Danty to learn Six Nations fate after red card

France centre Jonathan Danty will face a disciplinary hearing on Tuesday following his red card against Italy on Sunday in the Guinness Six Nations.

The 31-year-old was yellow carded by referee Christophe Ridley in the dying seconds of the first half in Lille for a dangerous tackle on centre Juan Ignacio Brex, with the decision being sent to the bunker review system.

Ben Whitehouse upgraded the tackle to a red card, and France played the second 40 with 14 players as they held on for a 13-13 draw.

Danty has now been cited for foul play contrary to Law 9.13: “A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously. Dangerous tackling includes, but is not limited to, tackling or attempting to tackle an opponent above the line of the shoulders even if the tackle starts below the line of the shoulders.”

The Frenchman will attend the hearing via video conference before an independent judicial committee consisting of Jennifer Donovan – Chairman (Ireland), joined by former internationals Stefan Terblanche (South Africa) and Leon Lloyd (England).

Fabien Galthie’s side already entered the match with an extensive list of absentees due to injury or suspension. To make matters worse, they lost fly-half Matthieu Jalibert a few minutes before to a knee injury, so a potential ban for Danty will not help France’s cause heading into the final two rounds of the Championship.