Scotland prop Nel is banned after foul play with Edinburgh

Scotland prop WP Nel has been banned for three matches after he was cited for foul play during last weekend’s European Challenge Cup game for Edinburgh against Pau. The suspension will begin with the front-rower marked absent from this Saturday’s round of 16 encounter at home to Bath.

An EPCR statement read: “The Edinburgh replacement prop, WP Nel, has been suspended for three weeks following an independent disciplinary hearing arising from his club’s EPCR Challenge Cup round five match against Section Paloise at the DAM Health Stadium.

“Nel was cited by the match citing commissioner, Dana Teagarden (Germany), for striking the head of the Section Paloise prop, Teo Bordenave, in the 42nd minute of the match in contravention of law 9.12.

Mike Brown | Rugby Roots

Mike Brown | Rugby Roots

“An independent disciplinary committee comprising Simon Thomas (Wales, chair), Donal Courtney (Ireland) and Martyn Wood (England) heard submissions from Nel, who accepted the charge, from the player’s legal representative, Bruce Caldow, from the Edinburgh team Manager, Matt Cornwell, and from the EPCR disciplinary officer, Liam McTiernan.

“The committee upheld the citing complaint, finding that Nel had struck Bordenave’s head with his shoulder and it then determined that the offence was at the mid-range of World Rugby’s sanctions and six weeks was selected as the appropriate entry point.

“On the basis that the player accepted that he had committed an act of foul play and had a clean disciplinary record, it was decided to grant the full 50 per cent mitigation and the committee, therefore, reduced the sanction by three weeks before imposing a three-week suspension.

“Nel is free to play on Monday, May 2. However, if he applies for and completes a World Rugby coaching intervention, he will be free to play on Monday, April 25. Both the player and EPCR have the right to appeal the decision.”