Leinster tighthead prop Tadhg Furlong has been cleared of any foul play by an independent disciplinary committee following a United Rugby Championship match against Munster last Saturday at the Aviva Stadium, as reported by RTE.ie.
Citing Commissioner Reviews Alleged Foul Play During Derby
The incident occurred in the 37th minute of the interprovincial derby. During the match, Munster’s Gavin Coombes alleged that his testicles had been grabbed. Referee Andrew Brace asked Television Match Official Colin Stanley to review the incident at the time, but neither official could find evidence of foul play on the footage.
However, the event remained in the referee’s match report and was subsequently reviewed by citing commissioner Peter Ferguson. Ferguson lodged a complaint under Law 9.27, which states that a player must not do anything against the spirit of good sportsmanship, including grabbing, twisting, or squeezing the genitals.
Furlong appeared before an independent disciplinary committee consisting of Simon Thomas from Wales, Attie Heyns from South Africa, and Pamela Woodman from Scotland. According to RTE.ie, the panel unanimously concluded that the citing complaint should be dismissed because Furlong did not commit an act of foul play contrary to Law 9.27. Despite dismissing the complaint, the committee noted that Coombes had provided an honest account of his recollection of events.
Former Referee Suggests Hefty Suspension for Furlong
Before the hearing, former head of Irish referees Owen Doyle wrote in the Irish Times that if Furlong were found guilty, a hefty suspension should follow, comparing it to previous sanctions handed out in similar cases, as covered by Planet Rugby. Doyle pointed to instances such as England player Joe Marler receiving a 10-week ban for an offence against Alun Wyn Jones, and Bulls and Springboks forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels receiving a nine-week ban last year for grabbing the genital area of Connacht player Josh Murphy.
Leinster assistant coach Robin McBryde defended Furlong’s character during the process, stating in reports from The Irish Times that the player has no history of such behavior. Munster head coach Clayton McMillan also addressed the situation, noting that Coombes and the rest of the Munster squad turned their focus toward preparing for their subsequent match against the Sharks, as detailed by the Irish Examiner.
Upcoming Availability for Ireland
With the disciplinary complaint dismissed, Furlong is fully available for selection for Ireland’s upcoming Nations Championship campaign. Andy Farrell’s squad is scheduled to face Argentina, Fiji, South Africa, and one additional opponent starting next month, with fixtures including a match on Saturday, November 28.
Additional squad updates from Extra.ie noted that Garry Ringrose is unlikely to be involved in the Nations Championship games as he continues his rehabilitation for a hamstring injury at Leinster. Meanwhile, Jimmy O’Brien is recovering from a concussion sustained during the same Leinster-Munster match.
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