'Low degree of force' sees Gibson-Park free to play after hearing

Ireland scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park has been cleared to play for Leinster in Friday’s Heineken Champions Cup round of 16 second leg match versus Connacht after a citing complaint against him was dismissed at a disciplinary hearing. 

The second-half tackle that the Kiwi put in on Connacht’s Kieran Marmion was hotly debated following the 26-21 win by Leinster in Galway last Friday, with some people believing it was a red card offence. 

That theory was put to the test by the resulting citing complaint, but it was found that Gibson-Park hadn’t committed a red card foul and can line out in the upcoming Aviva Stadium rematch if selected by Leinster boss Leo Cullen. 

Mike Brown | Rugby Roots

Mike Brown | Rugby Roots

An EPCR statement read: “A citing complaint against the Leinster replacement scrum-half, Jamison Gibson-Park, arising from his club’s Heineken Champions Cup round of 16 first leg match against Connacht at The Sportsground has been dismissed following an independent disciplinary hearing by video conference. 

“Gibson-Park was cited by the match citing commissioner, Maurizio Vancini (Italy), for allegedly tackling the Connacht scrum-half, Kieran Marmion, in a dangerous manner in the 56th minute of the match in contravention of law 9.13.

“The independent disciplinary committee comprising Philippe Cavalieros (France, chair), Yannick Jauzion (France) and Mitchell Read (England) considered video imagery of the incident and heard submissions from Gibson-Park, who did not accept that his act of foul play warranted a red card, from the player’s legal representative, Derek Hegarty, from the Leinster head of rugby operations, Guy Easterby, and from the EPCR disciplinary officer, Liam McTiernan.

“While the committee determined that Gibson-Park had committed an act of foul play, it found that his action involved a low degree of force which did not warrant a red card. The citing complaint was therefore dismissed and Gibson-Park is free to play. EPCR have the right to appeal the decision.”