Disciplinary hearing blow for Ireland U20s as two more players banned

Ireland have suffered a double blow at the Junior World Championship, starting back-rower James McNabney and replacement Rory Telfer both receiving three-match suspensions following disciplinary hearings in the wake of separate incidents in last Thursday’s pool win over Australia. 

McNabney was cited for a high tackle in the 35th minute in Paarl, foul play that was missed at the time by the referee and the TMO. That occurred when Australia were ahead in the Pool B encounter and rather than have the forward sanctioned there and then and Ireland having to play the remaining 45 minutes with 14 players, Richie Murphy’s team played on with the full complement of players.  

They led 11-10 at the interval and were to ultimately win 30-10 in a game that did finish with them eventually reduced to 14 as Telfer was yellow-carded late on. That sin-binning was quickly upgraded to a red card offence when examined in the new 10-minute yellow card review window now allowed for by the TMO bunker.

Ireland had come into their second match at the tournament having already picked up a red card versus England in their opener. Midfielder Hugh Cooney was sent off in that 34-all draw and banned for three games, a sanction that was reduced to two following his participation in the World Rugby coaching intervention programme.     

That same game-less facility will now be available for both McNabney and Telfer, meaning their respective three-game bans can also be reduced to two and ensure they will be available for selection in match day five at the tournament – a fixture that could potentially be the World Cup final if Ireland make it that far.    

A disciplinary hearing statement read: “Ireland back row James McNabney appeared before an independent judicial committee on Saturday having been cited for a dangerous tackle (law 9.13). The independent disciplinary committee was chaired by Marcello d’Orey (Portugal), joined by former international players Olly Kohn (Wales) and Stefan Terblanche (South Africa). 

“The committee, having considered the player’s submissions and reviewed all available evidence, found that the red card threshold had been met and that the citing was upheld. The committee noted that the offence carries a mandatory mid-range sanction (six matches) and having considered the mitigating factors, reduced the sanction by the maximum mitigation of 50 per cent. The final sanction is three matches as follows: 

• Ireland vs Fiji – July 4
• Ireland’s match in round four – July 9 
• Ireland’s match in round five – 14 July* 

“The player intends to apply to take part in the World Rugby coaching intervention programme to substitute the final match of the sanction for a coaching intervention aimed at modifying specific techniques and technical issues that contributed to the foul play. 

“Ireland replacement Rory Telfer also appeared before an independent judicial committee on Saturday having received a red card in Ireland’s Pool B match against Australia. The red card was awarded pursuant to law 9.13 (dangerous tackle). 

“The independent disciplinary committee was chaired by Marcello d’Orey (Portugal), joined by former international coach Frank Hadden (Scotland) and former international referee Valeriu Toma (Romania). 

“The player accepted that foul play occurred and that the offending warranted a red card. The committee noted that the offence carries a mandatory mid-range sanction (six matches) and having considered the mitigating factors, reduced the sanction by the maximum mitigation of 50 per cent. The final sanction is three matches as follows: 

• Ireland vs Fiji – July 4
• Ireland’s match in round four – July 9
• Ireland’s match in round five – 14 July* 

“The player intends to apply to take part in the World Rugby coaching intervention programme to substitute the final match of the sanction.” 

Elsewhere, Japan centre Yoshiki Omachi, who was red carded after charging into a ruck versus Wales in Stellenbosch last Thursday, was banned for one match and is unavailable to play against New Zealand next Tuesday.”