Bath and Leicester stars cited after European openers - Ruck

Bath and Leicester stars cited after European openers

Here are the details of the independent disciplinary hearings following the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup Round 1.

CHAMPIONS CUP – Citing complaints

Francois Louw (Bath Rugby)

EPCR has received a citing complaint against the Bath Rugby flanker, Francois Louw (No 20), following his club’s Champions Cup, Round 1 match against Benetton Rugby at The Recreation Ground on Saturday, 14 October 2017.

Louw is alleged to have made contact with the eye area of the Benetton Rugby second row, Marco Fuser (No 4), in the 77th minute of the match in contravention of Law 10.4 (m). The complaint was made by the match Citing Commissioner, Tim Lowry (Ireland).


Antony Davies (England), Chairman, Achille Reali (Italy) and Becky Essex (England) have been appointed as the independent Disciplinary Committee for the hearing which will take place tomorrow (Wednesday, 18 October) in London.

Law 10.4 (m) Contact with the eye area
Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 10.4 (m), contact with the eye area, carries the following sanction entry points – Low End: 4 weeks; Mid-range: 8 weeks; Top end: 12 to 52 weeks.

Marco Fuser (Benetton Rugby)

EPCR has received a citing complaint against the Benetton Rugby second row, Marco Fuser (No 4), following his club’s Champions Cup, Round 1 match against Bath Rugby at The Recreation Ground on Saturday, 14 October 2017.

Fuser is alleged to have bitten the Bath Rugby replacement flanker, Francois Louw (No 20), in the 77th minute of the match in contravention of Law 10.4 (m). The complaint was made by the match Citing Commissioner, Tim Lowry (Ireland).

Antony Davies (England), Chairman, Achille Reali (Italy) and Becky Essex (England) have been appointed as the independent Disciplinary Committee for the hearing which will take place tomorrow (Wednesday, 18 October) in London.

Law 10.4 (m) Biting
Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 10.4 (m), biting, carries the following sanction entry points – Low End: 12 weeks; Mid-range: 18 weeks; Top end: 24 to 208 weeks.

Mike Williams (Leicester Tigers)

EPCR has received a citing complaint against the Leicester Tigers flanker, Mike Williams (No 6), following his club’s Champions Cup, Round 1 match against Racing 92 at Stade Yves-du-Manoir on Saturday, 14 October 2017.

Williams is alleged to have charged into a ruck and to have made contact with the head/face area of the Racing 92 centre, Henry Chavancy (No 12), in contravention of Law 10.4 (h). The complaint was made by the match Citing Commissioner, Stefano Marrama (Italy).

Roger Morris (Wales), Chairman, Jennifer Donovan (Ireland) and Tommy Dalton (Ireland) have been appointed as the independent Disciplinary Committee for the hearing which will take place tomorrow (Wednesday, 18 October) in London.

Law 10.4 (h) Charging into a ruck
Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 10.4 (h), charging into a ruck, carries the following sanction entry points – Low End: 2 weeks; Mid-range: 6 weeks; Top end: 10 to 52 weeks.

CHALLENGE CUP – Citing complaints

Timilai Rokoduru (Lyon)

EPCR has received a citing complaint against the Lyon wing, Timilai Rokoduru (No 14), following his club’s Challenge Cup, Round 1 match against Cardiff Blues at Cardiff Arms Park on Friday, 13 October 2017.

Rokoduru is alleged to have tackled the Cardiff Blues wing, Blaine Scully (No 11), dangerously high in the 44th minute of the match in contravention of Law 10.4 (e). The complaint was made by the match Citing Commissioner, Paul Hull (England).

Roger Morris (Wales), Chairman, Jennifer Donovan (Ireland) and Tommy Dalton (Ireland) have been appointed as the independent Disciplinary Committee for the hearing which will take place tomorrow (Wednesday, 18 October) in London.

Law 10.4 (e) Dangerous tackling
Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 10.4 (e), dangerous tackling, carries the following sanction entry points – Low End: 2 weeks; Mid-range: 6 weeks; Top end: 10 to 52 weeks.

Valerii Tsnobiladze (Krasny Yar)

EPCR has received a citing complaint against the Krasny Yar hooker, Valerii Tsnobiladze (No 2), following his club’s Challenge Cup, Round 1 match against Stade Francais Paris at Krasny Yar Stadium on Saturday, 14 October 2017.

Tsnobiladze is alleged to have made contact with the eye area of the Stade Francais Paris No 8, Bakary Meité, in the 51st minute of the match in contravention of Law 10.4 (m). The complaint was made by the match Citing Commissioner, Eugene Ryan (Ireland).

David Martin (Ireland), Chairman, Pamela Woodman (Scotland) and Tony Wheat (England) have been appointed as the independent Disciplinary Committee for the hearing which will take place tomorrow (Wednesday, 18 October) by video conference.

Law 10.4 (m) Contact with the eye area
Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 10.4 (m), contact with the eye area, carries the following sanction entry points – Low End: 4 weeks; Mid-range: 8 weeks; Top end: 12 to 52 weeks.

Terry Bouhraoua (Stade Francais Paris)

EPCR has received a citing complaint against the Stade Francais Paris scrum half, Terry Bouhraoua (No 9), following his club’s Challenge Cup, Round 1 match against Krasny Yar at Krasny Yar Stadium on Saturday, 14 October 2017.

Bouhraoua is alleged to have made contact with the eye area of the Krasny Yar hooker, Valerii Tsnobiladze (No 2), and to have struck the same player with his knee, in the 51st minute of the match in contravention of Laws 10.4 (m) and 10.4 (a). The complaint was made by the match Citing Commissioner, Eugene Ryan (Ireland).

David Martin (Ireland), Chairman, Pamela Woodman (Scotland) and Tony Wheat (England) have been appointed as the independent Disciplinary Committee for the hearing which will take place in London tomorrow (Wednesday, 18 October).

Law 10.4 (m) Contact with the eye area
Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 10.4 (m), contact with the eye area, carries the following sanction entry points – Low End: 4 weeks; Mid-range: 8 weeks; Top end: 12 to 52 weeks
Law 10.4 (a) Striking with the knee
Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 10.4 (a), striking with the knee, carries the following sanction entry points – Low End: 4 weeks; Mid-range: 8 weeks; Top end: 12 to 52 weeks.