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Gabrillagues' appeal result not a good look for World Rugby

France's Paul Gabrillagues has had a six-week ban cut to three on appeal (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

Paul Gabrillagues’ World Cup ambitions have been revived after he successfully appealed the six-week sanction handed down for foul play (contrary to Law 9.20) in the Test match between France and Scotland in Nice on August 17.

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The French lock feared being left out of Jacques Brunel’s travelling 31 and his suspension meant he would miss three of his country’s four pool matches. 

This prospect caused consternation, with some French commentators aghast at the length of the Gabrillagues’ ban compared to the leniency shown to Scott Barrett who was only suspended for three weeks after he was send off in the All Blacks‘ Rugby Championship defeat to Australia.

However, the halving of Gabrillagues’ punishment to a three-week penalty means he will now only miss one match at the World Cup, the opener against Argentina on September 21, and leaves World Rugby red-faced that its original six-week suspension hasn’t been vindicated.

Gabrillagues’ appeal was heard in London by an independent appeal committee comprising Christopher Quinlan QC (chair), Adam Casselden (Australia) and David Croft (former Australia player).

Having considered all the evidence and submissions by the player and his representative, the appeal committee determined that the act of foul play contrary to Law 9.20 merited a mid-range entry point, which has a starting point of six weeks.

The appeal committee found that there were no aggravating factors but in light of Gabrillagues’ admission, the fact the appeal committee accepted his account of the incident and other relevant features of mitigation, the committee reduced the suspension to three weeks.

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Gabrillagues is presently in the France squad named for the World Cup and his period of three weeks will operate across the following matches:

  • Scotland v France on August 24 – for which he was suspended and did not play in, when otherwise he would have done, and therefore it counts as one match for the purposes of that suspension;
  • France v Italy on August 30; and
  • France v Argentina on September 21 France’s first RWC 2019 match).

France, meanwhile, have made nine changes to the team to face the Italians following last Saturday’s loss to Scotland in Edinburgh. In the front row, Jefferson Poirot inherits the captain’s armband and will play his third match with Rabah Slimani. Camille Chat is at hooker. 

In the second row, Arthur Iturria will lock with Romain Taofifenua while the back row features Wenceslas Lauret, Yacouba Camara and Louis Picamoles.

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The half-backs are Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack, Yoann Huget returns to the wing and Maxime Medard is at full-back. Wesley Fofana will link with Sofiane Guitoune, pushing Gael Fickou out to the wing.

WATCH: What rugby fans can expect in Kumamoto at night at the World Cup in Japan

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AM 37 minutes ago
'Freelancer' Izaia Perese shows the need for true inclusivity in Australian rugby

That's Cron's job though. Australia has had one of the most penalised scrums in international rugby for a long time. Just look at the scrum win loss percentage and scrum penalties. That is your evidence. AA has been the starter during that period. Pretty simple analysis. That Australia has had a poor scrum for a long time is hardly news. If bell and thor are not on the field they are woeful. So you are just plain wrong. They have very little time for the lions so doing the same old things that dont work is not going to get them there.


Ainsley is better than our next best tighthead options and has been playing well at scrum time for Lyon in the most competitive comp in the world. Superstar player? No. But better than the next best options. So that is a good enough guide. The scrummaging in the Prem is pretty good too so there is Sio's proof. Same analysis for him. Certainly better in both cases than Super, where the brumbies had the worst win loss and scrum pen in Super. Who plays there? Ohh yes... And the level of scrummaging in Super is well below the URC, prem and France with the SA teams out.


Nongorr is truly woeful. He's 130kg and gets shoved about. That just should not be happening at that weight for a specialist prop who has always played rugby cf pone with leauge. He has had enough time to develop at 23. You'd be better off with Pone who is at least good around the field for the moment and sending Nongorr on exchange to France or England to see if they can improve him with better coaching as happened with Skelton and Meafou. He isn't going to develop in time in super if he has it at all.


Latu is a better scrummaging hooker than BPA and Nasser. and he's the best aussie player over the ball at ruck time. McReight's super jackling percentage hasnt converted to international level but latu consistently does it at heniken level, which is similar to test level in the big games. With good coaching at La Rochelle he's much improved though still has the odd shocker. He should start the November games.

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