The Leicester Tigers flanker, Mike Williams, has been suspended for one week following an independent Disciplinary Hearing in London on Wednesday, 18 October arising from his club’s Champions Cup, Round 1 match against Racing 92 at Stade Yves-du-Manoir.
Williams was cited by match Citing Commissioner, Stefano Marrama (Italy), for charging into a ruck and making contact with the head/face area of the Racing 92 centre, Henry Chavancy, in contravention of Law 10.4 (h).
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.
An independent Disciplinary Committee consisting of Roger Morris (Wales), Chairman, Jennifer Donovan (Ireland) and Tommy Dalton (Ireland) heard evidence and submissions from Williams, who pleaded guilty to the offence, from Leicester Tigers’ legal representative, Sam Jones, and from the club’s Rugby Co-ordinator, Dave Bassett. The Committee also heard submissions from the EPCR Disciplinary Officer, Liam McTiernan.
The Committee upheld the citing complaint and determined that the offence had warranted a red card. The Committee found that the offence was at the low end of World Rugby’s sanctions and selected two weeks as the appropriate entry point.
The Committee reduced the sanction by one week due to the player’s guilty plea, expression of remorse and immediate apology before imposing a suspension of one week.
Williams is free to play on Monday, 23 October, and both the player and EPCR have the right to appeal the decision.