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Ban rules Liam Williams out of Six Nations opener with Wales
By PA
Wales back Liam Williams has been ruled out of his country's Six Nations opener after being given a three-game ban for his red card in the Scarlets’ Guinness PRO14 derby defeat by Cardiff Blues. British and Irish Lions back Williams will miss Ireland’s visit to Cardiff on February 7 following his weekend dismissal.
The 29-year-old was sent off for a dangerous entry into a ruck when his head made direct contact with Blues flanker Shane Lewis-Hughes.
A PRO14 statement said: “The player was shown a red card during the Cardiff Blues vs Scarlets game on January 8 at Cardiff City Stadium by referee Craig Evans (WRU) under law 9.20 (b) – a player must not make contact with an opponent above the line of the shoulders.
“The player accepted that he had committed an act of foul play which warranted a red card. The incident was found to merit a mid-range entry point, which indicates a four-week suspension for this offence.
“The judicial officer determined that there were factors, including the player’s remorse, which warranted mitigation of one week. The player is suspended from participating in the next three meaningful fixtures for which he is fit and available for selection.”
The ban is set to cover two Scarlets matches, with the region expected to bring forward a PRO14 match next weekend to cover European competition postponements. Scarlets then face Leinster in a re-arranged league game on January 30 before the opening Six Nations weekend.
Williams will hope the Scarlets’ planned pre-Six Nations games are played with Wales due to visit Scotland on February 13. The Scarlets’ 29-20 defeat to the Blues was Williams’ first game after he suffered an injury against Italy in December.
Williams drew criticism for his reaction to his red card when his comment to referee Evans was picked up on the official’s microphone and heard on television coverage. “Going to start playing touch, is it?” Williams was heard to say.
Rugby’s relationship with concussion has recently come under the microscope after former players suffering from concussion-related health problems launched legal action against the game.
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Latest Comments
It is if he thinks he’s got hold of the ball and there is at least one other player between him and the ball carrier, which is why he has to reach around and over their heads. Not a deliberate action for me.
Go to commentsI understand, but England 30 years ago were a set piece focused kick heavy team not big on using backs.
Same as now.
South African sides from any period will have a big bunch of forwards smashing it up and a first five booting everything in their own half.
NZ until recently rarely if ever scrummed for penalties; the scrum is to attack from, broken play, not structured is what we’re after.
Same as now.
These are ways of playing very ingrained into the culture.
If you were in an English club team and were off to Fiji for a game against a club team you’d never heard of and had no footage of, how would you prepare?
For a forward dominated grind or would you assume they will throw the ball about because they are Fijian?
A Fiji way. An English way.
An Australian way depends on who you’ve scraped together that hasn’t been picked off by AFL or NRL, and that changes from generation to generation a lot of the time.
Actually, maybe that is their style. In fact, yes they have a style.
Nevermind. Fuggit I’ve typed it all out now.
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