Sale's Hyron Andrews on the wrong side of disciplinary hearing

Hyron Andrews’ dangerous tackle on Peato Mauvaka in Sale’s reecord 77-7 Champions Cup defeat to Toulouse last weekend has been upgraded to a red card offence.

Andrews was sent to the sin-bin in the 71st minute of the mismatch by referee Andrew Brace but was later cited by the match citing commissioner.

And after reviewing all the evidence on Tuesday evening, an independent discipinary committee has concluded that the tackle met a higher threshold, resulting in the South African being suspended for four weeks.

An EPCR statement said: “Andrews accepted that he had committed an act of foul play that warranted a red card.

“The Committee upheld the citing complaint, finding that Andrews had tackled Mauvaka in a dangerous manner and determined that the offending was at the mid-range of World Rugby’s sanctions and six weeks was selected as the appropriate entry point.

“Due to the player’s prior disciplinary record, the Committee were only able to reduce the sanction by two weeks and therefore imposed a four-week suspension.

Andrews is free to play again on Monday, 23 February. However, if he applies for and successfully completes the World Rugby Coaching intervention programme, he will be free to play on Monday 9 February.”

If Andrews follows tandard protocol and completes the course, he will miss this Saturday’s Gallagher PREM match at home to table-topping Northampton and the PREM Rugby Cup trip to Exeter and the home Cup tie against Bath.