Rugby

Ulster prop Tom O’Toole suspended for three weeks

Michael Lowry has been cited for an incident in the same game against Toulouse

Ulster’s Tom O’Toole leaves the game against Toulouse after being shown a red card. Photograph: Laszlo Geczo/Inpho

Wed Apr 27 2022 - 15:49

Ulster prop Tom O’Toole has been suspended for three weeks following the red card he was shown in his team’s Champions Cup defeat to Toulouse.

O’Toole was sent off by English referee Matthew Carley in the 65th minute of the match for tackling backrow Anthony Jelonch “in a dangerous manner in contravention of Law 9.13”.

European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) released a statement on Wednesday afternoon after an independent disciplinary hearing.

The committee upheld the red card decision, finding that: “in executing a tackle in a dangerous manner, O’Toole had made contact with Jelonch’s head." The offending was at the mid-range of World Rugby’s sanctions and six weeks was selected as the appropriate entry point.

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“Due to the player’s guilty plea and clear disciplinary record, and as there were no aggravating factors, it was decided to grant the full 50 per cent mitigation." The committee therefore reduced the sanction by three weeks before imposing a three-week suspension.

O’Toole is free to play on Monday, May 9th , however, if he applies for and completes a World Rugby coaching intervention, he will be free to play next Monday, May 2nd. Both he and EPCR have the right to appeal the decision.

Meanwhile, Michael Lowry has been cited for an incident in the same game.

The warning issued was for making contact with Toulouse fullback Thomas Ramos in the air in a dangerous manner in the 60th minute of the match in contravention of Law 9.17.

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