'Recklessly contacted in the air': Powell punished for Bristol red

Young Bristol back Charlie Powell will miss the Bears' next four matches as punishment for last weekend's red card in the Premiership Cup defeat to Worcester. The 22-year-old, who made his third career Gallagher Premiership appearance off the bench last month at Newcastle, was a starter in the 68-13 Cup loss to the Warriors. 

However, Powell didn't make it as far as the interval at Sixways as he encountered red card trouble shortly before the end of the first half when tackling Harri Doel and will now be unavailable for the upcoming Bristol league games versus Northampton and Gloucester as well as the Champions Cup matches against Scarlets and Stade Francais.

An RFU statement following the independent disciplinary panel hearing read: "Powell was shown a red card by referee Anthony Woodthorpe in the 38th minute of the match last Saturday. This was for tackling the jumper in the air, contrary to World Rugby law 9.17.

"Powell accepted the charge and was given a four-match suspension by the independent disciplinary panel will be comprising Richard Whittam (chair) with Martyn Wood and Tom Smallbone. He is free to play again on December 21.

"The panel accepted that this incident was the result of poor timing by the player. The Worcester player was recklessly contacted in the air whilst in a vulnerable position and he landed such that his head/neck area made contact with the ground in a potentially dangerous manner. The panel found that this was a mid-range entry point that carries an eight-week entry point.

"The panel noted that the player accepted the charge, has a clean disciplinary record and clearly was very remorseful and apologetic for his actions both on the field at the time and afterwards. The panel had allowed the full mitigation of 50 per cent.

"The club assisted the panel with the player's upcoming fixtures and the panel were satisfied that he should miss the next four matches for Bristol Bears."