Italy lock handed lengthy ban after Nations Championship red card

The Nations Championship Foul Play Review Committee (FPRC) has announced the outcome of Niccolo Cannone’s red card during the second round of the inaugural competition.

Fiji halfback Simione Kuruvoli and Italy lock Niccolo Cannone both received red cards during their respective fixtures in round two, with the latter copping a lengthy ban.

Cannone saw red by referee Luc Ramos during the second half of their 47-17 defeat at the hands of the All Blacks in Wellington, after making contact with Cameron Roigard’s head at a ruck.

Ramos initially gave Cannone a yellow card, but the TMO and foul play review officer upgraded the Italy enforcer’s offence to a 20-minute red card.

The 52nd-minute red card merited a low-end entry point of six weeks/matches, according to the FPRC.

“In light of Cannone’s acceptance that he committed an act of foul play worthy of ordering off, as well as mitigating factors such as his disciplinary record, conduct, and remorse, the FPRC applied a 2-week reduction to the sanction,” the Nations Championship announced.

The four games that the Italy lock will miss start this weekend in Perth, before the ban is carried over into the club season with Benetton.

– Australia v Italy, Saturday, 18 July 2026

– Benetton Rugby v Zebre Parma, Saturday, 4 September 2026

– Black Lion v Benetton Rugby, Saturday, 12 September 2026

– Benetton Rugby v Dragons, Friday, 25 September 2026

The Fijian halfback faces a sanction for physical abuse (Law 9.12) after his red card against England at Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool.

The result of his hearing will be announced at 1 am UTC Wednesday 15 July, when Kuruvoli will learn his fate.