Munster's Jerry Flannery has received an eight week suspension for stamping and will miss Ireland's entire Six Nations campaign. But the hooker has indicated he will appeal the ERC ruling.
Flannery was in Dublin last night to face a charge of stamping on Clermont Auvergne flanker Julien Bonnaire during Munster's Heineken Cup defeat to the French side at the Parc des Sports Marcel-Michelin on January 13th.
The French international suffered a cut above his eye, requiring a visit to the sideline to be patched up. Flannery was adamant that any contact was accidental and not premeditated.
Yesterday's independent Disciplinary Committee was chaired by Christopher Quinlan (England) and also comprised Roger Morris (Wales) and John Doubleday (England). They deemed Flannery guilty of foul play and said the offence was at "the top end in the level of seriousness."
Flannery's ban runs up to and including March 19th meaning he will miss all of Ireland's Six Nations games.
Ireland open their campaign at home to Italy next weekend before travelling to Paris on February 9th. Eddie O'Sullivan's men then host Scotland and Wales at Croke Park before closing out the tournament in Twickenham on March 15th - four days before Flannery's suspension expires.
Flannery was legally represented at the hearing by former Munster and Ireland international Donal Spring and accompanied by Munster coach Declan Kidney. Kidney and Flannery left without comment but Spring said: "We are very disappointed with the outcome and are considering an appeal."
The suspension opens the door for Bernard Jackman to act as Rory Best's understudy during the upcoming tournament. The Leinster hooker has been in tremendous form of late but has been down the international pecking order. That said, Best has been struggling with an ankle injury and Ulster's form this season has been less than impressive so Jackman could yet play a central role in the campaign.
Clermont Auvergne flanker Alexandre Audebert has also received a two-month ban following his stamp on Ronan O'Gara and for also punching Alan Quinlan in the same European game.
The Disciplinary Committee decided the punching offence did not warrant a red card and accordingly did not impose a separate suspension but imposed the eight-week ban for stamping.