Pro12 duo escape punishment

Teofilo Paulo and Johan Snyman, lock forwards for Cardiff Blues and the Scarlets respectively, have escaped punishment after being cited for striking each other on Friday.

Each player had been cited by an independent citing commissioner for allegedly striking an opponent (each other), in contravention of Law 10.4(a), in their Pro12 derby match.

The disciplinary committee, chaired by Roger Morris, along with Robert Williams and Aurwel Morgan (all Wales), having viewed footage of the incident and listened to evidence and representations made by and on behalf of the players, found that each of the players had committed the alleged act of foul play.

The disciplinary committee went on to find that in each case, the player's actions had warranted a lower-end entry point under World Rugby's sanctions for this type of offence, which is a two-week playing suspension.

However, after considering the offending in detail, and all aggravating and mitigating factors, the disciplinary committee concluded that a playing suspension would be wholly disproportionate in the circumstances, and accordingly imposed no suspension on either player.

Both players are free to resume playing immediately (and also have a right of appeal).

Law 10.4(a): Punching or striking. A player must not strike an opponent with the fist or arm, including the elbow, shoulder, head or knee(s).