Wales lock Bradley Davies banned for remainder of Six Nations
Wales lock Bradley Davies faces a seven-week ban after he was cited for a tip-tackle during the Six Nations win over Ireland on Sunday.
Reported by the independent Six Nations citing commissioner Achille Reali for a dangerous tackle on Ireland's Donncha Ryan, Davies cannot play again until March 26 – nine days after the competition finishes, subject to any successful appeal.
-
Bradley Davies
The Cardiff Blues forward joins injured lock Luke Charteris on the sidelines, but there is better news for Alun Wyn Jones, who could return from an ankle injury in time to face England on February 25.
The punishment would have been considerably longer had it not been for various mitigating factors, including his admission of guilt, previous good disciplinary record and his conduct at the hearing.
Wales coach Warren Gatland even agreed that Davies should have seen a red card for the tip-tackle.
"We have seen the replay of the incident and it doesn't look good," said the New Zealander on Sunday.
In a statement today, the Six Nations said: "The independent Six Nations Disciplinary Committee, chaired by Antony Davies (England) along with John Doubleday (England) and Jean-Noel Couraud (France), having considered the citing report and the television footage and having listened to the player’s explanation, found that the incident, in which the player lifted his opponent beyond a horizontal position but did not bring him to the ground safely contrary to Law 10.4(j) and the IRB’s particular emphasis on this aspect of the game, merited a top end entry to the IRB’s table of sanctions.
"The Committee applied an additional two weeks to the entry point of ten weeks to reflect the need for a deterrent for this type of foul play but, in mitigation, took account of various factors in the player’s favour including his admission of guilt, his previous good disciplinary record and his conduct at the hearing in allowing the maximum possible reduction of five weeks."
4 Comments
by antyall
Thursday, February 09 2012, 4:38PM
“The Matthew. I was told today that Bradly Davis es tipped the player due to the fact that Donnacha had punched a welsh player in the back of the head. Unfortunately it was his action that were brought to the attention of the ref and not the first. so i agree a ban is over the top.”
by TheMatthew
Wednesday, February 08 2012, 9:35PM
“I know the facts and I agree that he should have been red carded but he wasn't. How can something be a banning offence and at the same time be only a yellow carding offence. As well as all this I think the line judge should be held accountable in some way. Gatland said it was a red card, you say it was, I say it was and pretty much everyone I know says it was but the line judge gave a yellow card. What does that say about his judgement ?”
by antyall
Wednesday, February 08 2012, 9:17PM
“The Mathew. The person that he tipped/tackled was not even in play. It was a totally off the ball assault and yes he should have been red carded even Warren Gatland admitted he should have been.”
by TheMatthew
Wednesday, February 08 2012, 6:27PM
“So what he did was a banning offence but only a yellow carding as well. It may have warranted a red card but that's not what happened. It's this inconsistency which frustrates me. How can it not be serious enough for a red card but subsequently deemed serious enough for a multiple game ban. Seems a bit unfair. Clearly the line judge was in error, is his professional competence also under review ?”