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Andrew Warwick banned for shot that floored Manu Tuilagi
By Ian Cameron
Ulster Rugby player Andrew Warwick has been suspended for a tackle on Sale Shark's Manu Tuilagi.
The incident occurred in the 33rd minute of the teams' Heineken Champions Cup match at the AJ Bell when Warwick's head collided with Tuilagi as the England centre carried the ball from deep up the pitch. Tuilagi went off for a HIA and didn't return.
Referee Mathieu Raynal deemed there was no foul play, however, after saying the England centre initiated the contact.
That decision by the French official has been much discussed by fans and pundits after the match, and there has been a struggle to reach a consensus as to what the correct response should have been.
However, upon review, a European Professional Club Rugby disciplinary panel decided to upgrade the decision to a red, indicating that the tackle was dangerous and warranted an immediate dismissal from the game.
An EPCR statement reads: "The committee upheld the citing complaint, finding that in executing the tackle in a dangerous manner, Warwick had made contact with Tuilagi’s head. It then determined that the offending was at the mid-range of World Rugby’s sanctions and six weeks was selected as the appropriate entry point.
"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 and the committee therefore reduced the sanction by three weeks before imposing a three-week suspension.
"Warwick is free to play on Monday, 2 January 2023, however, if he applies for and successfully completes a World Rugby Coaching Intervention, he will be free to play on Monday, 26 December 2022."
The incident has sparked debate among fans and analysts, with some arguing that Warwick's tackle was reckless and deserved a red card, while others believe it was a routine tackle that did not warrant such a severe punishment.
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I’m sick to death of waiting 3 years for league players to become half decent. It cripples Australian rugby in the meantime. The Reds actually looked half competent without Vunivalu not starting last week. He’s just a liability of errors. Paisami is looking better than he has in previous years but I’d have Kerevi back in a flash. A kiwi wont tho …...
Go to commentsExcellent analysis Nick as we have come to expect. I was not really aware that NFL strategies have been adopted by rugby teams, especially in defence. One point I would make is that the Northhampton attacking player on the end of the chain in the video examples has not maintained the correct depth to be effective. In the footage shown the outside player is too flat to make the best of the opportunity his inside players have provided. In each case they have to reduce speed and turn their body backwards to secure the ball, losing all momentum and giving the impressive scrambling defence the chance to shut down the threat.
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