Leicester's Freddie Steward banned after aerial collision on England U20 duty

Leicester youngster Freddie Steward has been banned for four weeks after a disciplinary hearing in London investigated an allegation of foul player during England’s under-20s defeat to Wales last Friday at Kingsholm.

The citing complaint claimed that the full-back had infringed laws 9.11 (reckless or dangerous acts) and 9.17 (tackling in the air) when he collided with opposite number Jacob Beetham in the 55th minute of the match won by the Welsh.

Steward accepted that he had committed an act of foul play that warranted a red card and the disciplinary committee, comprising David Martin (Ireland), Frank Hadden (Scotland) and Donal Courtney (Ireland), upheld the citing complaint.  

The committee found that the act of foul play warranted a mid-range entry point (eight weeks) but they reduced this by four to take account of mitigating factors (including good character, guilty plea and remorse).

It left Steward suspended for four weeks. Given his playing schedule (which includes Loughborough University in BUCS Super Rugby), he is free to resume playing on Thursday, April 9. 

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