Leinster likely to appeal Jack McGrath’s three-week suspension

The Leinster management will meet this morning to consider whether to appeal the three-week suspension meted out by an independent disciplinary committee to prop Jack McGrath for stamping on Ulster hooker Rory Best during last weekend's Guinness Pro12 match at the RDS.

As things stand McGrath is slated to miss Leinster's Pro12 match against Cardiff this weekend but more importantly two pivotal Champions Cup pool matches against Castres Olympique at the RDS on Saturday week and then seven days later a clash with Wasps at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry.

Leinster are unhappy with the committee’s findings, especially in the light of Ulster number eight Roger Wilson receiving no censure from the match citing commissioner, Munster’s Eugene Ryan, for a stamp on, ironically, McGrath.

Mid-range offence

The disciplinary committee adjudicated McGrath’s was a mid range offence with an entry point, according to World Rugby regulations, of five weeks. The ban was reduced by two weeks in light of the player’s unblemished record, together with his conduct at the hearing.

Leinster may contend McGrath’s transgression should have been considered at the lower end of the scale (two weeks) and with the maximum reduction of 50 per cent would have seen him miss just the Cardiff match. The province will be furnished with the written findings from the hearing but are unlikely to wait their arrival.

The Pro12 statement read: “The disciplinary committee, chaired by Roger Morris (Wales), along with Rhian Williams (Wales) and John Doubleday (England), 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 deliberate and that, in terms of seriousness, the player’s actions were at the mid-range of World Rugby’s sanctions for foul play, which carries a five week entry-point suspension.

“In light of compelling mitigation factors, including the player’s unblemished playing record, together with his conduct at the hearing, the disciplinary committee determined that the player should be suspended from playing for a period of three weeks, up to and including Sunday, 25 January 2015. The player was reminded of his right of appeal.”

Gopperth departure

Leinster confirmed outhalf

Jimmy Gopperth

will leave the province at the end of the season to join Aviva Premiership team, Wasps. The New Zealander joined Leinster at the start of last year from the Newcastle Falcons and has made 45 appearances, scoring 280 points. Jonathan Sexton’s return this summer makes Gopperth’s decision understandable.

In his first year at Leinster, he played 29 times as Matt O’Connor’s men won the Pro12 title by finishing top of the table at the end of the regular season and then beating first Ulster, then Glasgow in the semi-final and final respectively. In a 34-12 win at the RDS, Gopperth kicked 14 points in a four-try win over the Glaswegians. To date this year he has played 16 games, with 13 starts.

O’Connor commented: “Jimmy has been an integral part of this environment for the last 18 months or so and will be missed. The younger players like Ian (Madigan) and to a greater extent Cathal (Marsh), Steve (Crosbie) and Ross (Byrne) learned a great deal from him. We are disappointed to lose a player of his calibre.”

Gopperth said: “I have had a great time and it has been a brilliant experience. This season is very much still on the line and we are in contention for two trophies and I am looking forward to fighting on both fronts over the coming months.”