Two Weeks For O’Callaghan

Donncha O’Callaghan who was cited for allegedly kicking an opponent during the Ulster game last weekend will receive a two-week sanction after the citing was upheld today.

O’Callaghan, who was never cited before, was accompanied by Munster Rugby Team Manager Niall O'Donovan as he appeared before an independent Guinness PRO12 Disciplinary Committee in Glasgow today at 4pm.

The disciplinary committee, chaired by Professor Lorne Crerar, along with Roddy Dunlop and Iain Goodall (all Scotland), having reviewed video footage of the incident and having listened to representations from, and on behalf of, the player, found that the player had committed an act of foul play and upheld the citing complaint.

In determining sanction, the disciplinary committee's view was that the player's actions had been reckless, that the primary contact with the opponent had been on his shoulder and chest area, and that in terms of seriousness the player's actions were at the lower end of World Rugby's sanctions for foul play, which carries a 4 week entry-point suspension. In light of compelling mitigation factors, including the player's unblemished and long playing career, together with his conduct at the hearing, the disciplinary committee determined that the player should be suspended from playing for a period of two weeks, up to and including Sunday, 14 December 2014.

Commenting afterwards Team Manager Niall O’Donovan said, “We are obviously disappointed with today’s outcome. Donncha has a long and unblemished professional rugby career spanning seventeen seasons and takes great pride in his conduct on and off the field. The committee accepted the action wasn't intentional and decided the entry point for the offence to be at the lower-range, the four weeks reduced to two in mitigation."

In other news Head Coach Anthony Foley met with media today post-training in Limerick and confirmed that he is waiting to see how Copeland and Smith progress with their rehab before making any decision about their involvement in Saturday’s game against Clermont.

Andrew is showing signs of improvement and the swelling has gone down in his knee, while Robin took part in the morning session today but did not participate in the field session. Foley also confirmed that Paddy Butler took a knock to his hip in Friday night’s game and followed some rehab running today while prop Alan Cotter tore his bicep in Munster’s A game against Nottingham on Saturday.

Newcomer and centre Pat Howard, who is currently following return-to-play protocols, was nominated as an additional player to Munster’s ERCC panel today taking the place of out-half Johnny Holland who was de-registered after he tore his hamstring in Saturday’s A game.