EPCR statement: Josh Caulfield banned after disciplinary appeal
Lock Josh Caulfield has been banned for four matches after EPCR appealed the disciplinary hearing decision to rescind the red card brandished to the Bristol player in last month’s Investec Champions Cup loss to Connacht.
A committee consisting of Paul Thomas (Wales, chair), Marcello D’Orey (Portugal) and Stefan Terblanche (South Africa) has originally decided that while Caulfield had committed an act of foul play, it found that the offence didn’t warrant a red card and the red card decision taken by referee Pierre Brousset was overturned.
This outcome ignited a controversy where even Nigel Owens, the centurion Test referee, claimed he was glad he was retired. EPCR opted to appeal the disciplinary committee’s decision and Caulfield will now face a stint on the sidelines following two hearing this week, an appeal and then a brand new disciplinary hearing.
A statement read: “An independent appeal Committee comprising James Dingemans (England, chair), Jean-Noel Couraud (France) and Donal Courtney (Ireland) was convened on Tuesday, January 30, to consider the appeal by EPCR of the decision of an independent disciplinary committee to overturn the red card which was issued to the Bristol Bears’ Josh Caulfield during his club’s round four match against Connacht.
“The appeal committee considered the appeal and heard submissions from the player’s legal representative, Sam Jones, and from the EPCR disciplinary officer, Liam McTiernan, and concluded that the original decision should be set aside and therefore upheld the appeal.
“They determined that the case should be reheard afresh by a new disciplinary committee at the earliest possible convenience. The new hearing took place on Wednesday, January 31, with Katherine Mackie (Scotland, chair), Mirian Tavzarashvili (Georgia) and Valeriu Toma (Romania) appointed as the independent disciplinary committee.
“The committee heard evidence from the player and also heard submissions from the player’s legal representative, Sam Jones, Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam and from the EPCR disciplinary officer, Liam McTiernan.
“The committee determined that Caulfield had committed an act of foul play in contravention of law 9.12 and that a red card was warranted. The committee then determined that the offending was at the mid-range entry point of World Rugby’s sanctions and six weeks was selected as the appropriate entry point.
“Due to the players’ good disciplinary record, his on-field apology to Finlay Bealham and excellent conduct at the hearing, the committee decided to reduce the sanction by two weeks before imposing a four-week suspension.
“The date when Caulfield can return to play will be determined once the Committee has received full details of his future playing schedule. Both the player and EPCR have the right to appeal the decision.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Tamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
1 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
33 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
33 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to comments