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Cited Lloyd Williams and red-carded Kyle Cooper learn fate after Challenge Cup disciplinary hearings

(Photo by David Rogers/The RFU Collection via Getty Images)

Cardiff Blues scrum-half Lloyd Williams and Newcastle Falcons prop Kyle Cooper have been given the all-clear to continue playing after appearing at respective Challenge Cup disciplinary hearings. Wales half-back Williams, who played off the bench in last month’s Guinness Six Nations win in Italy, was cited for an alleged 78th-minute stamp on London Irish’s Paddy Jackson in the 78th minute of the April 2 round of 16 clash at Brentford that was dramatically won by Irish in the closing play.  

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An independent disciplinary committee comprising Richard Whittam (England, chair), David Humphreys (Ireland) and Marcello D’Orey (Portugal) considered video imagery of the incident and heard evidence from Williams, who did not accept the charge, from Richard Locke, the player’s legal representative, from Cardiff boss Dai Young, from Blues manager Gafyn Cooper, and from EPCR disciplinary officer Liam McTiernan.

The committee decided that although Williams had committed an act of foul play, his actions did not warrant a red card and on that basis, the complaint was dismissed and he is free to play when Cardiff next have a match.

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Wales out-half Dan Biggar guests on RugbyPass All Access

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Wales out-half Dan Biggar guests on RugbyPass All Access

Cooper, meanwhile, will receive no further sanction following his independent disciplinary hearing arising from Newcastle’s quarter-final loss at Leicester last Saturday. The prop was shown a red card by referee Romain Poite in the 77th minute after receiving two yellow cards for repeated scrum infringements. 

Judicial officer Whittam considered the case and upheld the red card decision, but the fact the player was sent off was deemed to be sufficient punishment in the circumstances and no further sanction was imposed. Cooper is free to play and will be available for Newcastle’s weekend Gallagher Premiership game at home to Bristol.  

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TI 2 hours ago
All Blacks player ratings vs Italy | Autumn Nations Series

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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