GRENOBLE WARMED UP for their Challenge Cup meeting with Connacht by beating Oyonnax away from home on Saturday.
The match ended 20 – 27 to Bernard Jackman’s men, but the crucial final 10 points went the way of the visitors after referee Romain Poite sent off Oyonnax fullback Silvere Tian.
With the home side leading, Poite penalised Tian for infringing at a ruck in his 22. The sight of the yellow card sent the fullback into a rage. He shouted at the official as he was being ordered off, cursing as he is held back by a team-mate.
For that, Poite upgrades the sanction from sin-bin to a red card. And after Tian moves out of range of the mic he continues to shout and gesture at Poite, who notes that abusive or threatening language has been used against him.
Given Clermont’s Viktor Koleishvili was given a 14-week ban for this quite gentle shove earlier this season, it’s safe to assume you won’t be seeing Tian on a rugby pitch for a while. World Rugby sanctions under Law 10.4 (m) – ‘acts contrary to good sportsmanship’ – carry a low end entry point of 24 weeks.
Tian had earlier scored a 61st minute try to edge Oyonnax ahead. However, after his departure Grenoble made hay; levelling with Jonathan Wisniewski’s penalty before hooker Loick Jammes broke free from midfield and popped a pass to Mahamadou Diaby who stormed in the winning try to keep Paul O’Connell happy in the stands.
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