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Billy Vunipola hearing decision rules foul play had 'insufficient force'
By PA
Billy Vunipola’s red card he received during Saracens’ Investec Champions Cup clash against the Bulls in South Africa has been overturned.
It means that the England number eight is free to play immediately, making him available for Saturday’s European appointment with Connacht.
Vunipola was sent off early in the second half by Italian referee Andrea Piardi for a dangerous strike to the head area of Bulls forward Cameron Hanekom.
The 31-year-old, who appeared by video link before an independent disciplinary panel, accepted that he had committed an act of foul play, but he did not accept it warranted a red card.
Tournament organiser European Professional Club Rugby said: “The committee determined that Vunipola had committed an act of foul play.
“However, it decided that there was insufficient force in the contact to Hanekom’s head to warrant a red card, and the red card was therefore overturned.
“Vunipola is free to play immediately, and EPCR has the right to appeal the decision.”
Saracens were beaten 27-16 by the Bulls in the first of their four Champions Cup pool games.
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Latest Comments
There is a continued murmur in local circles about reciprocal bi annual tours between SA and Argentine. Whether it's full blooded test tours or development tours or a mixture - ie touring with a "test" 20 and a development 20 the cream of which will be used in tests. We actually really enjoy playing the Argies and I believe they enjoy playing us. It goes back seventy years to the Junior Bok tours to Argentine involving Isaac van Heerden.
Go to commentsDon't think you've watched enough. I'll take him over anything I's seen so far. But let's see how the future pans out. I'm quietly confident we have a row of 10's lined uo who would each start in many really good teams.
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