Exeter lose Josh Iosefa-Scott as 145kg prop pays price for striking face

Exeter Chiefs loosehead Josh Iosefa-Scott has been handed a three-match ban for striking the face of Hartpury’s Robbie Smith in their recent Premiership Rugby Cup encounter.

The 28-year-old was yellow carded for the fracas in the Chiefs’ 54-3 win at Sandy Park and attended a disciplinary hearing on Thursday cited for punching or striking, contrary to World Rugby Law 9.12.

In the RFU’s verdict, the essential elements of the citing stated: “As the ball is being contested at a ruck, Exeter 17 Josh Iosefa Scott enters and clears out Hartpury 15 Alex Morgan from the back of the breakdown but is penalised by the referee for his entry.

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“Hartpury 12 Robbie Smith walking back to the penalty taps Exeter 17 on his behind. There is a reaction from Exeter 17 and he strikes Hartpury 12 to the face with some force and then follows this by grabbing the player by his shirt.

“A number of other players then get involved but no obvious acts of foul play take place.

“The player was shown the yellow card immediately but grappled with the opposition before having to be shown the yellow card for a second time when he left the field.

“The strike (possibly punch) is a deliberate action which is direct to the face with some force and so I cite Exeter 17 Josh Iosefa Scott under law 9.12.”

In the England A prop’s evidence, he explained that he attempted to shove Smith, but admits that he made contact with his face, which he said was out of character.

The Chief was charged for an “open handed strike to the face of an opposition player,” which warranted a mid-range entry point for punishment of six weeks.

However, due to his clean record, apology post-match and acceptance of the charge at the earliest opportunity, the ban was halved to three weeks.

Exeter face Gloucester next week in the Premiership Rugby Cup which will be the first week of Iosefa-Scott’s ban.

Still looking for their first win in the Gallagher Premiership this season, Rob Baxter’s side will travel to leaders Bath the week after without the 145kg prop. The final match of his ban will be the Investec Champions Cup encounter against the Springbok-laden Sharks in Durban.