Ulster prop Andy Warwick suspended for three weeks

Ulster prop Andy Warwick has been suspended for three weeks after he was cited for a dangerous tackle on Sale Sharks centre Manu Tuilagi in the Champions Cup match last weekend.

Warwick was cited by match citing commissioner Wejdane Limame for the incident in the 33rd minute, which contravened Law 9.13, relating to dangerous tackling in the following sanction entry points – Low End: two weeks; Mid-range: six weeks; Top end: 10 to 52 weeks.

The independent disciplinary committee upheld the citing complaint as Warwick had made contact with Tuilagi’s head and chose mid-range offence as appropriate. As the player has a good disciplinary record, and as he admitted that he had committed an act of foul play, it was decided to grant him the full 50 per cent mitigation.

Warwick is free to play on Monday, January 2nd, 2023, however, if he applies for and successfully completes a World Rugby Coaching Intervention, he will be free to play on Monday, December 26th.

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Both he and EPCR have the right to appeal the decision.

Meanwhile, Pau head coach Sebastien Piqueronies has been suspended for 10 weeks after being found guilty of using threatening words and actions towards Scottish referee Sam Grove-White.

Piqueronies was cited following the incident, which happened after the conclusion of the French club’s Challenge Cup game against South African side the Cheetahs last Saturday.

He was reported for allegedly physically abusing Grove-White, but found guilty of the less serious offence of using threatening words and actions by an independent disciplinary committee, tournament organisers said.

“The committee did not accept that Piqueronies was simply trying to shake the referee’s hand,” EPCR said.

Disciplinary committee chair Jeremy Summers added: “Match official abuse has no place in rugby, and this decision reinforces the message that offenders, at whatever level, will be subject to significant sanction.”

Piqueronies is suspended from any match-day contact with the Pau playing squad, including access to the technical zone, pitchside, dressingrooms, any team areas and team communications systems.