Leinster’s Jack McGrath banned for three weeks

Leinster prop Jack McGrath is set to miss the remaining two games in the Champions Cup pool stages after being banned for three weeks.

The Ireland frontrow saw an entry-point five-week ban imposed for stamping on hooker Rory Best during last weekend's 24-11 win over Ulster. It was reduced to three weeks "in light . . . the player's unblemished playing record, together with his conduct at the hearing".

Leinster and McGrath have the right to appeal the ban that will see him miss the Champions Cup visit of Castres to the RDS on January 17th and the trip to Wasps on the 24th. He will also be unavailable for the Pro12 meeting with Cardiff Blues at Arms Park on Saturday.

A Guinness Pro12 statement this evening, 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 5 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.”