In what’s been a poor week for English rugby, and it looks as though another Aviva Premiership player could be suspended, namely Ben Youngs after he lost his cool against London Irish on Sunday. As of last night, he has officially been cited.
Dylan Hartley was recently handed an eight week ban for biting Stephen Ferris, and later tonight we’ll know the fate of Calum Clark, after he broke Rob Hawkins’ arm.
Youngs will possibly be added to the list soon, even if his offence is less severe, after he lost his rag with Exiles number eight Jamie Gibson who had held him back by the foot.
Leicester have suspended Youngs internally for one week, and he will face an RFU disciplinary panel next week after being charged with striking Gibson. An RFU statement said the following:
“Ben Youngs of Leicester Tigers will appear before an RFU Disciplinary Panel after being cited for striking London Irish’s Jamie Gibson contrary to Law 10(4)(a) during the Aviva Premiership match at the Madejski Stadium on March 25 following a report by the match citing officer Wade Dooley.”
The touchjudge at the time took an old school approach to it, saying Youngs punched but then saying it was only a penalty. Interestingly Youngs was penalised for retaliation, but Exiles number nine Darren Allinson wasn’t even spoken to.
If found guilty of striking with either the knee or fist, Youngs could get a 2 week suspension, which is the low-end entry point. Mitigating factors, such as Gibson’s provocation, could come into play.
In other England rugby news, Stuart Lancaster has now official been made England Head Coach, with a contract running up until January 2016, shortly after the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
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