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Exeter lose Josh Iosefa-Scott as 145kg prop pays price for striking face

Josh Iosefa-Scott of Exeter Chiefs looks on during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Northampton Saints and Exeter Chiefs at cinch Stadium at Franklin's Gardens on September 28, 2024 in Northampton, England. (Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images)

Exeter Chiefs loosehead Josh Iosefa-Scott has been handed a three-match ban for striking the face of Hartpury’s Robbie Smith in their recent Premiership Rugby Cup encounter.

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The 28-year-old was yellow carded for the fracas in the Chiefs’ 54-3 win at Sandy Park and attended a disciplinary hearing on Thursday cited for punching or striking, contrary to World Rugby Law 9.12.

In the RFU’s verdict, the essential elements of the citing stated: “As the ball is being contested at a ruck, Exeter 17 Josh Iosefa Scott enters and clears out Hartpury 15 Alex Morgan from the back of the breakdown but is penalised by the referee for his entry.

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“Hartpury 12 Robbie Smith walking back to the penalty taps Exeter 17 on his behind. There is a reaction from Exeter 17 and he strikes Hartpury 12 to the face with some force and then follows this by grabbing the player by his shirt.

“A number of other players then get involved but no obvious acts of foul play take place.

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“The player was shown the yellow card immediately but grappled with the opposition before having to be shown the yellow card for a second time when he left the field.

“The strike (possibly punch) is a deliberate action which is direct to the face with some force and so I cite Exeter 17 Josh Iosefa Scott under law 9.12.”

In the England A prop’s evidence, he explained that he attempted to shove Smith, but admits that he made contact with his face, which he said was out of character.

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The Chief was charged for an “open handed strike to the face of an opposition player,” which warranted a mid-range entry point for punishment of six weeks.

However, due to his clean record, apology post-match and acceptance of the charge at the earliest opportunity, the ban was halved to three weeks.

Exeter face Gloucester next week in the Premiership Rugby Cup which will be the first week of Iosefa-Scott’s ban.

Still looking for their first win in the Gallagher Premiership this season, Rob Baxter’s side will travel to leaders Bath the week after without the 145kg prop. The final match of his ban will be the Investec Champions Cup encounter against the Springbok-laden Sharks in Durban.

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C
CO 29 minutes ago
Forget Ireland, the All Blacks face the real alpha of Europe next

I cannot believe that you don't think the French rugby team coach and captain are not discussing putting Jalibert on the bench in favour of Duponts club teammate that doesn't even play at 10.


This is a terrible, massive insult to a 10 and I'm sure Dupont would also be very enraged if benched for a player that doesn't even play halfback.


A good captain would've insisted to the coach that it was an idea of madness and either select Jalibert or replace him with another 10 if you want him to be reserve.


Jalibert may not be the world's finest tacklers but that's often not a tens main strength that the loose forwards and second five cover. An intercept pass is never great but they happen.


When any player is playing for his club then it's club first, respect doesn't need to be shown to opposition players simply because they're internationals.


Who exactly are you claiming Jalibert hasn't respected? If it's Toulouse international players then it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this bench demotion out.


The outcome of selecting Jalibert to the bench and he then throwing his croissants out the window of the team bus immediately prior to playing the Allblacks is a disaster that will be team disharmony as any team mates of Jalibert are in a state of anger and revolt so a performance that will be sub optimal against a team that is thirsting for revenge against France.


I don't know about you but the Allblacks are very upset they've lost twice in a row to France and want to put out a statement performance so this preparation by Galthie of creating havoc looks to me like a coach that is clueless.

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