Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Sam Dugdale starts for Ford-less Sale after being cleared for red card

Sam Dugdale of Sale Sharks arrives prior to the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Saracens and Sale Sharks at StoneX Stadium on September 28, 2024 in Barnet, England. (Photo by Patrick Khachfe/Getty Images)

Flanker Sam Dugdale will start for Sale Sharks on Friday night against Gloucester after being cleared for the red card he received in the Gallagher Premiership loss to Saracens.

ADVERTISEMENT

The 25-year-old was yellow carded by referee Anthony Woodthorpe in the first half at the Stone X Stadium for a high tackle on Ben Earl, and received his second yellow in the dying seconds of the match for an infringement at a ruck, resulting in a red card.

However, after a hearing on Wednesday, the RFU confirmed that the flanker is clear to play, with the red card being deemed sufficient punishment.

Video Spacer

Deon Fourie casts doubt over his playing future | RPTV

World Cup winner Deon Fourie talks about his battle with a long-term injury in the latest episode of Boks Office. Watch the full show on RugbyPass TV now

Watch now

Video Spacer

Deon Fourie casts doubt over his playing future | RPTV

World Cup winner Deon Fourie talks about his battle with a long-term injury in the latest episode of Boks Office. Watch the full show on RugbyPass TV now

Watch now

The verdict from the hearing said: “The player did not seek to challenge the foul play yellow card (no challenge can be brought against a technical yellow card). As such, the charge was accepted.

“The player has a clear disciplinary record and would ordinarily be entitled to mitigation from the entry point however in this instance, the entry point is sending off sufficient and no reduction can therefore be applied.

Fixture
Gallagher Premiership
Sale
31 - 27
Full-time
Gloucester
All Stats and Data

“The sanction remains sending off sufficient.”

Dugdale will therefore start against Gloucester at the Salford Community Stadium, although he has shifted to the openside this week as opposed to the blindside against Saracens.

The key change in the Sale team sees Rob du Preez start at fly-half in place of the injured George Ford, who tore his quad in the opening minutes against Saracens. 

ADVERTISEMENT

Sale Sharks XV
15. Joe Carpenter
14. Tom Roebuck
13. Will Addison
12. Sam Bedlow
11. Arron Reed
10. Rob du Preez
9. Gus Warr
1. Si McIntyre
2. Luke Cowan-Dickie
3. Asher Opoku-Fordjour
4. Ben Bamber
5. Josh Beaumont
6. Ernst van Rhyn
7. Sam Dugdale
8. Rouban Birch

Replacements
16. Ethan Caine
17. Tumy Onasanya
18. James Harper
19. Tom Burrow
20. Le Roux Roets
21. Nye Thomas
22. Tom Curtis
23. Waisea Nayacalevu

Related

Watch the highly acclaimed five-part documentary Chasing the Sun 2, chronicling the journey of the Springboks as they strive to successfully defend the Rugby World Cup, free on RugbyPass TV (*unavailable in Africa)

ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

LONG READ
LONG READ Mick Cleary: 'Borthwick needs to have faith in Marcus Smith' Mick Cleary: 'Borthwick needs to have faith in Marcus Smith'
Search