Six Nations isn't over for Garry Ringrose despite his red card ban

Garry Ringrose’s Guinness Six Nations campaign with Ireland isn’t over despite last Saturday’s red-carded tackle on Wales’ Ben Thomas. The midfielder was yellow-carded by referee Christophe Ridley in the first half in Cardiff, a sanction upgraded to a 20-minute red card by the Principality Stadium foul play review bunker.

The sending-off resulted in a disciplinary hearing on Thursday morning and Ringrose has received a three-match ban that will be reduced to two if successfully completes World Rugby tackle school. This coaching intervention would shelve the third game of the Irish player’s suspension, freeing him for selection for the round five Six Nations finale away to Italy on March 15.

It would mean the only Test match Ringrose will miss with the title-chasing Ireland is the March 8 round four clash with France in Dublin, as this Saturday’s URC game for Leinster against Cardiff has been included as the first missed match of his ban.

Caelin Dorris & Simon Easterby at the Men’s Six Nations launch in Rome

Ireland’s Caelin Dorris and Simon Easterby spoke to the media at the official Guinness Men’s Six Nations launch event in Rome and at the Colosseum.

Caelin Dorris & Simon Easterby at the Men’s Six Nations launch in Rome

Ireland’s Caelin Dorris and Simon Easterby spoke to the media at the official Guinness Men’s Six Nations launch event in Rome and at the Colosseum.

A statement read: “Ireland number 13 Garry Ringrose appeared before an independent disciplinary committee on Thursday morning via video link having received a 20-minute red card for an act of foul play contrary to law 9.13 in the match between Wales and Ireland last Saturday.

“The independent disciplinary committee was chaired by Matthew Weaver KC (England), joined by former international players Leon Lloyd (England) and Stefan Terblanche (South Africa).

Six Nations

P

W

L

D

PF

PA

PD

BP T

BP-7

BP

Total

1

Ireland

3

3

0

0

14

2

France

3

2

1

0

11

3

England

3

2

1

0

10

4

Scotland

3

1

2

0

6

5

Italy

3

1

2

0

4

6

Wales

3

0

3

0

1

“The disciplinary committee has upheld the red card issued to the player and by applying World Rugby’s sanctioning provisions, have determined that the mid-range entry point of six weeks/matches was appropriate.

“In light of the player accepting he committed an act of foul play as well as other mitigating factors, they have applied the maximum 50 per cent reduction in sanction, thus reducing the final sanction to three weeks/matches.

“The suspension will cover the following matches:

• March 1 – Leinster vs Cardiff, United Rugby Championship
• March 8 – Ireland vs France, Guinness Six Nations
• March 15 – Italy vs Ireland, Guinness Six Nations*

“The player has additionally been given permission to apply to take part in World Rugby’s coaching intervention programme which will, if successfully completed, replace the final match of their sanction. The programme is aimed at modifying specific techniques and technical issues that contributed to the foul play.”