RUGBY NEWS ROUND-UP:JONATHAN SEXTON'S availability for the Heineken Cup quarter-final against Harlequins this Sunday is in doubt after the Leinster outhalf was cited for allegedly kicking Munster centre Lifeimi Mafi in Saturday's Magners League match at Thomond Park.
The incident occurred in the 70th minute of Munster’s convincing 22-5 victory. Mafi, who received a cut above his eye, was sinbinned for reacting to being tangled up with Sexton on the ground. Video replays have since prompted citing commissioner Eddie Walsh to advise a hearing.
A three-man disciplinary committee will meet in Ravenhill tomorrow at 4pm under the chairmanship of Hugh Logan, with Stephen Hilditch (former international referee) and Neil Jackson also present. Under rule 10.4c of the Magners League disciplinary procedures, for kicking an opponent Sexton can be suspended for between four and 12 weeks, depending on the severity of the incident.
Under the Celtic Rugby format the home unions deal with the discipline of their own teams. The citing commissioner has 48 hours to review any potential acts of indiscipline with the case then forwarded to IRFU rugby administration manager Gordon Black who formed the disciplinary committee.This new format was introduced two seasons ago because clubs were engaging in tit-for-tat citings, although each coaching staff has the option, immediately after the game, of requesting certain issues to be further examined.
A Munster spokesman stated yesterday they did not seek further examination of the Sexton/Mafi incident. Other flash-points were examined but the IRFU believed they did not warrant a citing.
Meanwhile, Lee Byrne is expected to return for the Ospreys ahead of their trip to Thomond Park on Sunday. The Welsh international fullback sustained a plantar fasciitis (bruised heel and sole of the foot) in the early stages of the 17-15 defeat to Ireland at the Millennium Stadium on March 21st.
“Lee is progressing nicely after sustained treatment and we are hopeful he will be involved,” said an Ospreys spokesman yesterday.
However, flanker Jonathan Thomas (groin) and Gavin Henson (ankle ligaments) are definitely out of the Limerick match.
Leinster’s opponents Harlequins are expected to select from a full deck, with coach Dean Richards welcoming back captain Will Skinner and All Black outhalf Nick Evans. Openside wing forward Skinner pulled out of last Saturday’s impressive 19-3 defeat of Bath complaining of a stomach bug, with English number eight Nick Easter taking over the captaincy, but he has since recovered.
Evans, Quins’ most valuable player, has been absent since twisting an ankle against Newcastle on March 15th but is back in full training and should replace Chris Malone at outhalf.
Leinster have sold their 2,700 allocation of tickets for the Stoop, with Leinster coach Michael Cheika set to announce a decision on Brian O’Driscoll (neck, general wear and tear), Luke Fitzgerald (shoulder), Bernard Jackman (knee) and CJ van der Linde (toe) tomorrow at lunch-time.
Munster will also name a squad tomorrow, with Denis Leamy expected back, but Rua Tipoki is definitely ruled out.
