Kockott faces enormous ban as EPCR cite multiple players

Castres veteran scrum half Rory Kockott could face a ban of up to four years after being cited over an alleged eye gouge during their Champions Cup game with Munster at the weekend.

The complaint against the South African-born French international was made by the match Citing Commissioner, Chris Catling.

In a statement competition organisers said: “EPCR has received a citing complaint against the Castres Olympique scrum half, Rory Kockott (No 9), arising from his club’s Heineken Champions Cup, Round 4 match against Munster Rugby at Stade Pierre Fabre on Saturday, 15 December 2018.

“Kockott is alleged to have made contact with the eye and/or eye area of the Munster wing forward, Chris Cloete (No 7), in the 21st minute of the match in contravention of Law 9.12.

“Pamela Woodman (Scotland), Chair, Anthony Davies (England) and Leon Lloyd (England) have been appointed as the independent Disciplinary Committee for hearing which will take place in Paris tomorrow (Wednesday, 19 December).

Kockott will face a hearing in Paris on Wednesday and if he’s found guilty the minimum ban he faces is 12 weeks. A mid-range punishment is 18 weeks, with a top end punishment from 24 weeks to 4 years.

Castres replacement hooker, Marc-Antoine Rallier, is also in hot water with the authorities.

The EPCR statement said “Rallier is alleged to have tackled the Munster wing forward, Peter O’Mahony (No 6), dangerously in the 69th minute of the match in contravention of Law 9.13.

“Pamela Woodman (Scotland), Chair, Anthony Davies (England) and Leon Lloyd (England) have been appointed as the independent Disciplinary Committee for hearing which will take place in Paris tomorrow (Wednesday, 19 December).

If found guilty he would face a minimum ban of 2 weeks, with a mid-range punishment of 6 weeks with the top end ranging from 10 weeks up to a year.

Elsewhere Lyon second row, Etienne Oosthuizen is also facing a ban following his red card during his club’s Heineken Champions Cup, Round 4 match against Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun on Saturday.

Oosthuizen was sent off by referee, Ben Whitehouse (Wales), in the 70th minute of the match for striking the Glasgow Warriors fly half, Adam Hastings (No 10), with his arm in contravention of Law 9.12.

Jeremy Summers (England), Chair, Rory Bannerman (Scotland) and Val Toma (Romania) have been appointed as the independent Disciplinary Committee for hearing which will take place in Paris tomorrow (Wednesday, 19 December).

The punishment starts at 2 weeks, with a mid-range punishment of 6 weeks and the top end ban of 10 to 52 weeks.

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