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France lock Paul Willemse to miss Scotland clash due to ban
By PA
France lock Paul Willemse will miss his side’s Guinness Six Nations clash with Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday after being handed a three-week ban.
The South Africa-born forward will also be unavailable for his country’s encounter with Italy later this month after his sending off during last Friday’s tournament-opening defeat against Ireland.
France lock Paul Willemse will miss Saturday's #GuinnessSixNations game with Scotland at Murrayfield after being banned for four weeks following this red card against Ireland. pic.twitter.com/hTXWcXcUBy
— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) February 6, 2024
The punishment was issued following an independent disciplinary committee hearing on Tuesday.
Willemse was shown two yellow cards for foul play during the 38-17 loss, the second of which was later upgraded to red.
He was given suspensions of four weeks and three weeks for the offences, to run concurrently, meaning a ban of four weeks.
He can further reduce the ban to three weeks by applying to take part in World Rugby’s coaching intervention programme – the so-called ‘tackle school’. He also has the right to appeal.
Willemse could have faced a longer suspension but while the committee found his actions “reckless”, according to a statement, they accepted “there was no evidence to suggest the player acted maliciously or with intent in either case”.
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Don'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.
Go to commentsHopefully Joe stays where he is. That would mean Les, McKellar, larkham and Cron should as well. It’s the stability we need in the state programs. But, if Joe goes, RA with its current financial situation will be forced into promoting from within. And this will likely destabilise other areas.
To better understand some of the entrenched bitterness of those outside of NZ and NSW (as an example 😂), Nic, there is probably a comparison to the old hard heads of welsh rugby who are still stuck in the 1970s. Before the days where clubs merged, professionalism started, and the many sharp knives were put into the backs of those who loved the game more than everyone else. I’m sure you know a few... But given your comparison of rugby in both wales and Australia, there are a few north of the tweed that will never trust a kiwi or NSWelshman because of historical events and issues over the history of the game. It is what it is. For some, time does not heal all wounds. And it is still festering away in some people. Happy holidays to you. All the best in 2025.
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