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18 weeks' worth of suspensions in the Challenge Cup, including a 10-week ban for a dangerous tackling Agen winger

(Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

A whopping 18 weeks’ worth of suspensions have been handed out following last weekend’s Challenge Cup round of 16, with Agen’s Jamie-Jerry Taulagi banned for ten weeks following his reckless tackle versus Benetton. Glasgow’s TJ Ioane and London Irish’s Will Goodrick-Clarke have respectively copped five- and three-week bans. 

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It’s unusual in this day and age for a double-digit suspension to be given but that is what has transpired after Agen winger Taulagi was sent off by referee Christophe Ridley in the 62nd minute of away Challenge Cup loss to Benetton for a dangerous tackle on Marco Zanon.

The committee – comprising Matthew O’Grady (England, chair), Gordon Black (Ireland) and Declan Goodwin (Wales) – upheld the red card decision, finding that Taulagi had made contact with Zanon’s head in a dangerous manner which caused the Benetton player to be removed from the field of play with a suspected concussion. 

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At the time of the hearing on Tuesday, Zanon was undergoing the graduated return to play protocols and didn’t have a date for his return to training. It was determined that the offence was at the top end of World Rugby’s sanctions and 14 weeks was selected as the appropriate entry point. 

Taking into account the player’s guilty plea and early expression of remorse, the committee reduced the sanction by four weeks before imposing a ten-week suspension. The exact date of the completion of the suspension will be clarified once all Agen’s remaining fixtures in the Top 14 are scheduled.

Glasgow back row replacement Ioane was suspended for five weeks after he was sent off by referee Karl Dickson in the 58th minute for dangerously tackling Montpellier replacement Yvan Reilhac. A committee comprising Jennifer Donovan (Ireland, chair), Martyn Wood (England) and Yannick Jauzion (France) upheld the red card decision, finding that Ioane had made contact with Reilhac’s head in a dangerous manner. 

It then determined that the offence was at the mid-range of sanctions and selected six weeks as an appropriate entry point. Taking into account the player’s guilty plea, the committee reduced the sanction by one week before imposing a five-week suspension which will be served once Glasgow’s fixtures in the Rainbow Cup are scheduled.

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Meanwhile, London Irish prop Goodrick-Clarke was suspended for three weeks following his sending off by referee Nika Amashukeli in the 46th minute of their win for tackling Cardiff Blues prop Dillon Lewis in a dangerous manner.

Roderick Dunlop (Scotland, chair), Antony Wheat (England) and Jamie Corsi (Wales) upheld the red card decision, finding that Goodrick-Clarke had made contact with Lewis’s head in a dangerous manner and they selected six weeks as the appropriate entry point.

Taking into account the player’s guilty plea, timely expression of remorse and good disciplinary record, the committee reduced the sanction by the maximum amount of 50 per cent before imposing a three-week suspension. That ban starts with the prop missing this Friday’s Challenge Cup quarter-final at Bath.

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TI 1 hour ago
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Rieko took literally years to turn from a defensive liability at 13 into a guy, who’s defensively sound as it befits the position. And it all came at the cost of him being much less of an offensive threat, than what he used to be. Proctor is a natural 13, he handles, passes, and kicks way better than Rieko ever will, he just isn’t as fast.


It’s unfair to judge Tupaea on the handful of games he’s had in 2022 before he got nearly crippled by a Wallaby lock. What could Tupaea/Proctor pairing be, if they got the same amount of chances as Jordie/Rieko?


Because no matter how you spin it, playing a player outside of his natural position is a poor asset management. No matter how talented he is, he still competes against players who had years and years of practice at the position. And if said guy is so talented that he actually CAN compete against specialists, imagine how much better still he could have been, if he had all those years to iron the toothing issues at the position. It just drives me mad.


Two things I hate in rugby union beyond description: aping after league, and playing players outside of their natural position. Especially considering, that they all admit they hate it, when they’re allowed to speak freely. Owen Farrell spent 80% of his international career at 12, saying every time when asked, that he is a 10 and prefers to play at 10. Those players are literally held at a gunpoint: play out of position, or no national jersey for you.

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Hellhound 2 hours ago
What has happened to Aphelele Fassi?

Willie will always be the most missed player for me once he retires. He wasn't interested in scoring tries. The ultimate team player. Has the most assists in tries in the Bok team, and his kicks always spot on, at least 95% of the time. He reads the game like no other player can. He wasn't flashy, and people didn't notice him because of that. Great rugby head and knowledge. He should be catapulted into an assistant coach in the rugby system. He should really consider coaching.


Damian Willemse is an excellent fullback and he is the number 1 fullback. He can play the entire backline positions, except maybe 9, but I'm sure he would be able too if he wanted. No one is taking that away from him, only stand in while he is injured. He is world class and you don't swap that out. He also got wicked dancing feet, great eye for openings, and reads a game like few can, like Willie Le Roux. Also very strong on his feet, with absolute great hands and his kicking game is just as good.


As for Aphelele Fassi. What a great find and he has exceptional talent that Rassie will mould into a world class player. Yet.... He is nowhere even close to Damien Willemse. He has a long way to go to get there, but he is surrounded by great team mates from who he will gain lots of advice and support. He can play wing and fullback and Rassie may just try him out as a flyhalf or centre too. He has the abilities to expand his game. He is for sure a future star, but not yet at the stage to take away Damien Willemse's spot. However, DW start and AF on the bench, that is an awesome replacement. Between the 2 they cover all positions in the backline once AF gets that training. The Boks could go 6/2 permanently if they wanted. 6 forwards, a scrumhalf and AF. I may be wrong, but Rassie will spread AF around.

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