Big blow for Stormers as key player gets four-match ban

NEWS: The Stormers will be without one of their powerhouse forwards for some key United Rugby Championship matches.

Prop Neethling Fouché was given a four-game suspension after he received a red card for a dangerous tackle in his side’s 34-38 defeat to Ulster at Ravenhill Stadium in Round 14.

He is set to miss his side’s home matches against Connacht (April 19), Benetton (April 26), Dragons (May 10) and Cardiff (May 16) in a tight play-off race.

However, should he complete the World Rugby Coaching Intervention Programme then the sanction will be reduced by one week, which means he will be available for the Cardiff match.

“After an act of foul play by Stormers player No.3 [Neethling Fouché[, referee Andrea Piardi showed the player a red card in the 45th minute of the game under Law 9.16 – A player must not charge or knock down an opponent carrying the ball without attempting to grasp that player,” said a URC statement

“The Panel overseeing the disciplinary process, Declan Goodwin [Chair], Janet Gedrych and Chris Morgan [all Wales], found that the incident met the red card threshold, with entry of mid-range warranting a six-game suspension.

“The Panel reduced the suspension to four games [33 percent mitigation] due to the player’s good record, remorse and exemplary conduct before and during the hearing.

“The player and the club have the right to appeal.”

*Meanwhile, Munster centre Alex Nankivell received a two-game suspension for foul play in his side’s victory over Connacht in Round 14.

“After an act of foul play by Munster player No.12 [Alex Nankivell], referee Craig Evans showed the player a red card in the 25th minute of the game under Law 9.20a – A player must not charge into a ruck or maul,” said a statement

“Charging includes any contact made without binding onto another player in the ruck or maul.

“The Panel overseeing the disciplinary process John Kirk [Chair, Scotland], Stefan Terblanche and Neil Snellenburg [South Africa] found that the incident was reckless and met the red card threshold under Law 9.20b [A Player must not make contact with an opponent above the line of the shoulders] with entry of low-end warranting a two-game suspension.”

United Rugby Championship

P

W

L

D

PF

PA

PD

BP T

BP-7

BP

Total

1

Leinster

14

13

1

0

62

2

Glasgow

14

10

4

0

54

3

Bulls

14

10

4

0

50

4

Sharks

14

9

5

0

45

5

Munster

14

7

7

0

39

6

Ulster

14

7

7

0

37

7

Benetton

14

7

6

1

36

8

Edinburgh

14

6

8

0

36

9

Cardiff Rugby

14

6

7

1

36

10

Stormers

14

6

8

0

35

11

Scarlets

14

6

7

1

33

12

Ospreys

14

6

7

1

33

13

Connacht

14

5

9

0

33

14

Lions

14

6

8

0

30

15

Zebre

14

5

9

0

27

16

Gwent Dragons

14

1

13

0

9