LEINSTER AND IRELAND prop Tadhg Furlong has been cited for an alleged grab to the groin area of Munster’s Gavin Coombes during the provinces’ clash in the URC on Saturday.
Furlong will face a disciplinary process this week, with details of that process to be confirmed.
Furlong has been cited under Law 9.27 - “A player must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship including but not limited to grabbing, twisting or squeezing the genitals.”
This citing casts doubt on Furlong’s involvement in Ireland’s upcoming Nations Championship campaign.
Coombes made the allegation just before half time of Leinster’s win over Munster in Dublin, with referee Andrew Brace calling for a review with television match official [TMO] Colin Stanley. Coombes said the incident happened in a ruck.
Stanley could find no evidence to substantiate the claim at the time during the game, but Furlong has been cited after a post-match review by citing commissioner Peter Ferguson.
It’s understood Scotland’s Ferguson had access to at least one additional camera angle that wasn’t available live during the game.
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Last season, Bulls hooker Jan-Hendrik Wessels was given a nine-week suspension after Connacht’s Josh Murphy claimed he had grabbed his testicles during a URC game in Galway. Peter Ferguson was also the citing commissioner for that game.
Wessels was banned on the balance of probabilities rather than clear video evidence, which caused major frustration in South Africa.
Wessels appealed the suspension but was unsuccessful in his bid to have it overturned, although his sentence was reduced by one week.
The highly experienced Furlong was named in Ireland’s squad for their upcoming Tests against Argentina, Fiji and South Africa in November, with Andy Farrell’s side also set for a Nations Championship play-off game at the end of the month.
Farrell will be waiting to learn Furlong’s fate after this citing. The Ireland squad also includes tightheads Thomas Clarkson and Sam Illo, while loosehead props Andrew Porter and Tom O’Toole can also play on the tighthead side.
“Leinster Rugby’s Tadhg Furlong has been cited for an incident that occurred in the 37th minute of the United Rugby Championship Round 4 fixture at the Aviva Stadium against Munster Rugby on Saturday, October 24,” reads a statement from the URC.
“The Citing Commissioner in charge has made a complaint about an act of foul play by the Player (Tadhg Furlong No 3) against opponent Gavin Coombes (No 8).
“The Player has been cited under Law 9.27 – A player must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship including but not limited to grabbing, twisting or squeezing the genitals.
“Arrangements for the disciplinary process are currently in progress and will be announced in due course.”
Tadhg Furlong cited for alleged grab to Gavin Coombes' groin area
LEINSTER AND IRELAND prop Tadhg Furlong has been cited for an alleged grab to the groin area of Munster’s Gavin Coombes during the provinces’ clash in the URC on Saturday.
Furlong will face a disciplinary process this week, with details of that process to be confirmed.
Furlong has been cited under Law 9.27 - “A player must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship including but not limited to grabbing, twisting or squeezing the genitals.”
This citing casts doubt on Furlong’s involvement in Ireland’s upcoming Nations Championship campaign.
Coombes made the allegation just before half time of Leinster’s win over Munster in Dublin, with referee Andrew Brace calling for a review with television match official [TMO] Colin Stanley. Coombes said the incident happened in a ruck.
Stanley could find no evidence to substantiate the claim at the time during the game, but Furlong has been cited after a post-match review by citing commissioner Peter Ferguson.
It’s understood Scotland’s Ferguson had access to at least one additional camera angle that wasn’t available live during the game.
Last season, Bulls hooker Jan-Hendrik Wessels was given a nine-week suspension after Connacht’s Josh Murphy claimed he had grabbed his testicles during a URC game in Galway. Peter Ferguson was also the citing commissioner for that game.
Wessels was banned on the balance of probabilities rather than clear video evidence, which caused major frustration in South Africa.
Wessels appealed the suspension but was unsuccessful in his bid to have it overturned, although his sentence was reduced by one week.
The highly experienced Furlong was named in Ireland’s squad for their upcoming Tests against Argentina, Fiji and South Africa in November, with Andy Farrell’s side also set for a Nations Championship play-off game at the end of the month.
Farrell will be waiting to learn Furlong’s fate after this citing. The Ireland squad also includes tightheads Thomas Clarkson and Sam Illo, while loosehead props Andrew Porter and Tom O’Toole can also play on the tighthead side.
“Leinster Rugby’s Tadhg Furlong has been cited for an incident that occurred in the 37th minute of the United Rugby Championship Round 4 fixture at the Aviva Stadium against Munster Rugby on Saturday, October 24,” reads a statement from the URC.
“The Citing Commissioner in charge has made a complaint about an act of foul play by the Player (Tadhg Furlong No 3) against opponent Gavin Coombes (No 8).
“The Player has been cited under Law 9.27 – A player must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship including but not limited to grabbing, twisting or squeezing the genitals.
“Arrangements for the disciplinary process are currently in progress and will be announced in due course.”
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Coombes Disciplinary furlong Leinster Munster October