Scotland prop, Zander Fagerson, appeared before an independent judicial committee via video link having received a red card for an act of foul play contrary to Law 9.20 (a) (Dangerous play in a ruck or maul.
“A player must not charge into a ruck or maul. Charging includes any contact made without binding onto another player in the ruck or maul.”) in the Summer Nations Series match between Scotland and France on Saturday 5th August 2023.
The independent Judicial Committee consisting of Rhian Williams – Chair (Wales), Jamie Corsi (Wales) and Juan Pablo Spirandelli (Argentina) heard the case, considering all the available evidence and submissions from the player and his representatives.
In considering submissions made on behalf of the player, the Committee agreed to amend the offence to Law 9.20 (b) (Dangerous play in a ruck or maul. A player must not make contact with an opponent above the line of the shoulders.)
The player admitted that he had committed an act of foul play under the revised Law and that it was worthy of a red card. After reviewing all the evidence, the Committee applied World Rugby’s mandatory minimum mid-range entry point for foul play resulting in contact with the head. This resulted in a starting point of a four week suspension.
Having acknowledged mitigating factors including the player’s admission at the earliest opportunity, his remorse which was conveyed to the French player as well as shown during the hearing, and accepting that there were no aggravating factors to consider, the Committee reduced the four week entry point by one week, resulting in a sanction of three weeks (to be served as the following given the player’s upcoming schedule):
Summer Nations Series:
12 August 2023 Scotland v France
26 August 2023 Scotland v Georgia
Rugby World Cup:
10th September Scotland v South Africa
The Player may apply to take part in the Coaching Intervention Programme to substitute the final match of his/her sanction for a coaching intervention aimed at modifying specific techniques and technical issues that contributed to the foul play. Further information can be found here.
The player has the right of appeal within 48 hours of the issuing of the full written decision.
World Rugby set to introduce law changes for 2023 Rugby World Cup
The Rugby World Cup of 2023 could potentially see the implementation of various law modifications that have undergone trial periods during the 2023 Super Rugby season.
Time restrictions on goal kicks, set pieces and, rucks and a streamlined TMO process are among a raft of fan-centric law innovations set to make the World Cup faster and more fluid than ever before.
Referees will enforce 90 seconds time limits on conversions, 60 seconds for penalty kicks, 30 seconds for scrums and lineouts to be set, and 5 seconds for the ball to be used at rucks, while TMOs will only interrupt play for serious, clear and obvious incidents of foul play.
The key changes are summarised in bullet points below:
The referee will put a stopwatch shot clock on kickers who will have 90 seconds to kick a conversion from the time a try is awarded, and 60 seconds for penalties, from the time the referee signals a shot at goal.
Match officials will expect lineouts and scrums to be formed within 30 seconds of the respective marks being set, and the ball to be used within 5 seconds of a ruck being formed.
