Updated 20.44
CONOR MURRAY HAS been cleared to play for Ireland in the upcoming November tests.
An independent disciplinary committee ruled that his offence in the RaboDirect Pro12 clash with Glasgow last weekend had not warranted a red card and as such, the Munster scrum-half will not receive a ban.
The 24-year-old was cited for use of the elbow in his province’s victory over the Warriors on Friday night, and while the disciplinary hearing did find that foul play was involved, the committee stated that “the act did not merit classification as a red card offence and imposed no sanction.”
The citing had been made under Law 10.4 (a), which says that “a player must not strike an opponent with the fist or arm, including the elbow, shoulder, head or knees (s).”
Roger Morris of Wales chaired the committee alongside Rhian Williams (Wales) and Marco Cordelli (Italy) as it was ruled that Murray is free to resume playing immediately.
Meanwhile, Nikola Matawalu, the Glasgow Warriors scrum half, has also been cleared. He was cited by the independent Citing Commissioner for an alleged incident of incident of biting Donncha O’Callghan in the same game.
A statement reads: “After a hearing lasting three-and-a-half hours, the committee found, on the balance of probabilities, that while Mr Matawalu’s teeth had come into contact with Mr O’Callaghan’s arm, causing injury, this contact was accidental and therefore not an act of foul play. Accordingly, the citing was dismissed.”
