Batty gets hit with ban for dangerous tackle

Bath's Ross Batty has been hit with a ban after independent disciplinary panel met on Tuesday evening.

The Bath hooker, who was a second half sub, was sent off in the 63rd minute when attempting to clear out Worcester flanker Sam Lewis with a neck roll which saw his opponent land on his head.

In a statement from the RFU it said "Ross Batty of Bath Rugby appeared before an independent disciplinary panel this evening. Batty was shown a red card by referee Ian Tempest in the 63rd minute of the match Worcester Warriors v Bath Rugby on Saturday 5 January 2019. This was for dangerous play contrary to Law 9.11.

The player accepted the charge and was suspended for three weeks by the independent panel comprising Jeremy Summers (chair), Martin Picton and John Doubleday. He is free to play again on Tuesday 5 February 2019.

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Panel chair Jeremy Summers said: "The player accepted his conduct involved a dangerous neck roll. Given there was contact with the head a mid-range point was mandated. Taking in to account all the circumstances the panel was however satisfied that a top end entry point was not required.

"The player had a clear record, accepted the offence and plainly regretted his actions. As such a 50% reduction from the entry point was allowed."

It means he will miss this weekend's match against Wasps in the Champions Cup, followed by an away match against Toulouse in the same competition a week later. He will also be ineligible for the Premiership Rugby Cup match against Gloucester on February 2nd at the Rec.

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