Rugby

Wasps’ Ashley Johnson cited over Dave Kearney tackle

Flanker received a yellow card for incident in first minute of Champions Cup game

Wasps’ Ashley Johnson stands over Leinster’s Dave Kearney before being sin-binned for a high tackle in the first minute of the the Champions Cup match at the Ricoh Arena. Photograph: Mike Egerton/PA

Tue Jan 27 2015 - 15:21

Wasps backrow Ashley Johnson has been cited for his dangerous tackle on Leinster winger Dave Kearney in the opening minute of last Saturday's European Champions Cup clash in Coventry.

Match citing commissioner Alberto Recaldini made the complaint and a statement from the EPCR outlined the charges against the 28-year-old South African-born player.

It reads: "Johnson is alleged to have committed a dangerous tackle on the Leinster wing, Dave Kearney (No 11), in the opening minute of the Pool 2 game at the Ricoh Arena in contravention of Law 10.4(i). Johnson was shown a yellow card by match referee, Jerome Garces (France), following the incident."

Johnson's hearing will take place on Thursday in front of independent Judicial Officer Simon Thomas.

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Under ‘Law 10.4(i) Tackling the jumper in the air’, the range of sanctions run from three weeks at the low end, six weeks at the mid-range and from 12 weeks up to 52 weeks at the top end.

Kearney was taken off after the incident and looked in some discomfort on the sidelines. He will be monitored this week, missing the early stages of Ireland's Six Nations preparations.

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