Tadhg Furlong has been cleared of any wrongdoing after an incident on the weekend saw him appear in front of a disciplinary commission.
The 33-year-old Ireland prop was accused of grabbing Munster forward Gavin Coombes by the genitals during Leinster's 24-18 victory over their provincial rivals on Saturday.
An independent disciplinary committee has unanimously dismissed the citing against the Leinster prop, ruling that he did not commit foul play under Law 9.27 during last weekend’s derby against Munster.
The committee also concluded that Gavin Coombes provided an honest account of the incident and that the complaint was properly brought.
A statement reads: “Having reviewed all of the evidence and considered the submissions in this case, the Independent Disciplinary Committee unanimously concluded that the citing complaint against the Player should be dismissed, on the basis that he did not commit an act of foul play contrary to Law 9.27.”
“Notwithstanding the dismissal of the complaint, the Independent Disciplinary Committee found that Munster No 8, Mr Gavin Coombes, had given an honest account of his recollection of events surrounding the incident, and that the Citing Complaint was properly brought before the Independent Disciplinary Committee for determination.”
It will come as good news for Furlong, Leinster and Ireland, as World Rugby's regulations take a strict approach to this type of foul play.
Furlong was initially cited under Law 9.27, which covers acts contrary to fair play, including grabbing, twisting or squeezing an opponent's genitals.
The entry point for such offences is a 12-week suspension, with the full range of potential sanctions as follows:
- Low-end: 12 weeks
- Mid-range: 18 weeks
- Top-end: 24 weeks or more
- Maximum: 208 weeks, equivalent to four years
The incident occurred during the first half of Saturday's URC derby at the Aviva Stadium.
Coombes reportedly raised the issue with referee Andrew Brace, claiming Furlong had grabbed him in the groin area during a ruck.
The incident was referred to television match official Colin Stanley, but the footage available at the time was inconclusive. No further action was taken during the match.
However, the complaint was included in the referee's report and subsequently reviewed by the citing commissioner, who now have their verdict.
Furlong being found not guilty means he will be available for Ireland's November Tests, dealing a significant boost to their preparations for the autumn international campaign.
Andy Farrell's side will face Argentina, Fiji and South Africa at the Aviva Stadium, before heading to Allianz Stadium for the finals weekend of the inaugural Nations Championship campaign.
