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Boost for Ireland as Baird free to face Italy in U20 World Championship showdown
IRELAND SECOND ROW Ryan Baird has been cleared by a disciplinary committee and is free to play against Italy in today’s U20 World Championship final Pool B clash.
Baird received a red card in Saturday’s defeat to Australia for a high tackle on out-half Will Harrison. The Leinster lock flew out of Ireland’s defensive line in the 21st minute to hit the Junior Wallabie, but connected with his head.
Referee Christopher Ridley decided that there was a ‘high level of force and danger’ involved after consulting his TMO, said he had ‘no choice’ but to hand Baird his marching orders while 14-man Ireland went on to suffer a 45-17 defeat.
The player appeared at a hearing before an independent World Rugby Disciplinary Committee chaired by José Luis Rolandi [Argentina], along with Stefan Terblanche [former South African player] and Valeriu Toma [former Romanian referee], in Rosario.
And there was good news for Noel McNamara’s men as he walked free.
A statement, explaining how the panel received evidence from Baird, Harrison, the Australian team doctor and the referee as well as a presentation by the player and his team management, reads:
“Applying the World Rugby Decision Making Framework for High Tackles (laws.worldrugby.org/en/guidelines) elected to impose no further sanction.”
After the dream opening 42-26 win over England, Ireland’s U20 World Championship semi-final hopes are hanging by a thread after the defeat to Australia.
Ireland’s U20 World Championship semi-final hopes hang by a thread
The injury-ravaged Grand Slam winners face Italy in Santa Fe tomorrow afternoon [KO 2.30pm, eir Sport].
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cleared good news Ireland Ireland U20 ryan baird U20 world championship