Williams gets eight-week discount

Ulster loose forward Nick Williams has been given an eight-week discount by a Pro12 disciplinary hearing.

Williams appeared before disciplinary committee on Wednesday, following a citing for striking an opponent - under Law 10.4(a) - in the Pro12 match between Ulster and Cardiff Blues last Friday, March 27.

The disciplinary committee - chaired by Roger Morris (Wales), and supported by Rhian Williams (Wales) and  John Doubleday (England) - viewed footage of the incident and listened to representations made by and on behalf of the player.

They found the incident to be at the top end of the World Rugby sanctions for this type of offence, meriting a 16 week starting point.

"In the absence of any aggravating factors and in light of several mitigating factors, including the player's exemplary previous playing record, the disciplinary committee applied a eight-week reduction from the entry point and suspended the player from playing for eight weeks," a statement from the disciplinary committee said.

Taking into account the matches remaining this season, and two warm up matches scheduled for the start of next season, Williams is free to resume playing from Monday, September 1.

He has the right of appeal.