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Michael Rhodes cleared to play in Saracens' semi-final in Paris
By Online Editors
Saracens have received a major boost ahead of their Heineken Champions Cup semi-final as flanker Michael Rhodes has had his citing dismissed at an independent disciplinary hearing.
The South African was man of the match in the quarter-final win over Leinster last Saturday but he learned on Monday that he had been cited for allegedly head-butting Robbie Henshaw in the second minute of the Aviva Stadium victory.
A ban would have ruled Rhodes out of the semi-final trip to Paris but it was confirmed by tournament organisers EPCR on Tuesday night that the back row has been cleared to play and is available for Saracens selection to face Racing 92.
A statement from EPCR read: "Rhodes was alleged to have committed an act of foul play in that he struck the Leinster centre, Robbie Henshaw, with his head in the second minute of the match at the Aviva Stadium in contravention of Law 9.12 - striking with the head.
"The complaint was made by the match citing commissioner, Beth Dickens (Scotland). An independent disciplinary committee comprising Simon Thomas (Wales), Frank Hadden (Scotland) and Val Toma (Romania) heard evidence by video conference from Rhodes, who did not accept the charge.
"They also heard from the player’s legal representative, Paul Harris QC and from the EPCR disciplinary officer, Liam McTiernan. The Saracens director of rugby, Mark McCall, and the Saracens team manager, Warrick Lang, were also present.
"The committee decided that Rhodes had committed an act of foul play. However, it was not proven to the required standard that contact had been made to Henshaw’s head. The committee concluded that the act of foul play did not warrant a red card and the citing complaint was therefore dismissed.
"Rhodes is free to play and EPCR has the right to appeal the decision."
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I like Andy’s critical approach to all hot issues especially when it comes to the rugby big “bosses”. However, sorry Andy, I don’t support your “we shouldn’t be questioning the integrity of Karl Dickson or any other official”. May I ask why? They do have a lot of responsibility, but they are people like us with all their sins and weaknesses. We have to respect their decision during the games, but why they became untouchable afterwards and people cannot even criticize them and the ones, who does express their concerns, got punished for publicly analyzing their mistakes and asking questions. If they believe they did right, there shouldn’t be a problem for any of the refs to answer these “questions” publicly. I don’t really remember such cases. However, I do remember how Craig Joubert shown his running skills in 2015 or Pascal Gauzere shined in Cardiff in 2021. I do believe that Rassie, as anybody else, had a full right to share his vision of Nic Berry’s performance the same year. I do not support the hate in any form especially in public one, but creating the cast of untouchable refs and rugby bosses is not for me. As for Karl, he had all means to question his appointment for the game and since I don’t now whether he did it, blaming just RFU wouldn’t be quite correct at this moment. I love the game of rugby and almost every time I watch it I don’t support any team, I just wanna see the good game and fair referring. Sorry, Karl. last Saturday you got my Craig Joubert”s award of the round. It is up to Karl to prove that I am wrong, not to Andy or RFU’s corporate bla-bla-bla. Something like that…
Go to commentswell remember the blues had a guy called jed rowlands for a season. remember scott took his coaching team with him give him time
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