Dupont appealing ban that was longer than Du Toit's sentence
France scrumhalf Antoine Dupont has appealed his ban for an aerial challenge on Springboks fullback Cheslin Kolbe, lodging a notice to appeal at a judicial hearing.
Dupont was red carded for an aerial contest gone wrong in the 47th minute of France's 30-26 win over South Africa two weeks ago.
It was deemed to be foul play under law 9.17 where a player must not tackle, charge, pull, push or grasp an opponent whose feet are off the ground.
The former World Rugby Player of the Year took Kolbe's legs out whilst he was in the air, but the collision was seemingly unsighted as the No 9 was tracking the ball.
He was handed a four week suspension for the foul play last week but has appealed the length after receiving a longer sentence than Springbok flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit for a dangerous cleanout in the same game.
Du Toit was given a three week ban for his reckless clean out which saw his head smash into midfielder Jonathan Danty's face at a ruck.
The Springboks No 7 was red carded for the incident but the committee downgraded the charge from six weeks to three and lowered the grade to 'reckless' rather than one of intentional nature.
Dupont's hearing is set for Monday the 28th of November.
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In the fine tradition of Irish rugby, Leinster cheat well and for some reason only known to whoever referees them, they are allowed to get away with it every single game. If teams have not got the physicality up front to stop them getting the ball, they will win every single game. They take out players beyond the ruck and often hold them on the ground. Those that are beyond the ruck and therefore offside, hover there to cause distraction but also to join the next ruck from the side thereby stopping the jackal. The lineout prior to the second try on Saturday. 3 Leinster players left the lineout before the ball was thrown and were driving the maul as soon as the player hit the ground and thereby getting that valuable momentum. They scrummage illegally, with the looshead turning in to stop the opposing tighthead from pushing straight and making it uncomfortable for the hooker. The tighthead takes a step and tries to get his opposite loosehead to drop the bind. Flankers often ‘move up’ and actually bind on the prop and not remain bound to the second row. It does cause chaos and is done quickly and efficiently so that referees are blinded by the illegal tactics. I am surprised opposition coaches when they meet referees before games don’t mention it. I am also surprised that they do not go to the referees group and ask them to look at the tactics used and referee them properly. If they are the better team and win, fair play but a lot of their momentum is gained illegally and therefore it is not a level playing field.
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