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Johnny Sexton will learn over the coming days if his Rugby World Cup is to be affected by the outcome of his misconduct hearing.
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Ireland’s captain had a complaint lodged against him following his behaviour towards match officials in the wake of Leinster’s 27-26 Heineken Champions Cup final defeat by La Rochelle on May 20.
Sexton did not play in the game at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium due to his continuing recovery from a groin injury.
But he went on to the pitch after the match and became involved in what appeared to be a heated exchange with South African referee Jaco Peyper and other match officials.
The disciplinary hearing that took place on Thursday lasted six hours and the PA news agency understands that the decision is to be communicated to Sexton and Leinster over the coming days before being made public.
Ireland’s opening World Cup warm-up match is against Italy on August 5, followed by appointments later that month with England and Samoa.
Their first World Cup game sees them tackle Romania in Bordeaux on September 9, so a suspension for Sexton – who is to retire after the tournament – has the potential to affect his availability.
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Heated 'exchange' with Jaco? She was all one way verbals. Exchange assumes Jaco was giving the verbals back to Johnny, which we all know he did not.
I think that the time being taken re the decision probably indicates that a plausible fudge will be the outcome.
The pre WC friendlies will undoubtedly count towards match bans.
Self entitled enfant bad example for kids tronk tou doos.
Anything other than hefty ban would be a disgrace
He’ll still be available for the knock out games.