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RFU ban Van Rensburg and Heem
By Online Editors
Sale centre Rohan Janse van Rensburg and Worcester's Bryce Heem have been banned after being cited following Saturday's Gallagher Premiership clash between the clubs.
Van Rensburg has been suspended for a week and Heem for four after the pair appeared before an independent disciplinary panel on Tuesday night.
The Sale player admitted striking Francois Hougaard during the first half of his side's 39-17 defeat, while Heem, who had contested a charge over an alleged tip tackle on Paolo Odogwu, was found guilty.
An England Rugby statement said: "Rohan Janse van Rensburg (Sale Sharks) and Bryce Heem (Worcester Warriors) have received a one-week and four-week suspension respectively, after appearing before an independent disciplinary panel on Tuesday night.
"Both players were cited following the match between Worcester Warriors and Sale Sharks on Saturday 13th April.
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"The Sharks centre was alleged to have struck Francois Hougaard in the first half of the match contrary to Law 9.12, whilst Bryce Heem was cited for an alleged tip tackle on Paolo Odogwu in the second half of the match contrary to Law 9.18.
"Van Rensburg accepted the charge and was given a one-week suspension by the independent panel comprising of Matthew Weaver (chair), Mitchell Read and Guy Lovgreen. He is free to play again on 23 April 2019.
"Heem contested the charge, but was given a four-week suspension by the same panel. His return to play date is to be confirmed due to only three regular season games remaining."
Speaking about Van Rensburg's penalty, panel chair Weaver said: "In the absence of significant injury to the Worcester player, the panel were satisfied that a low end entry point was appropriate and that he was entitled to full mitigation reducing the sanction to one week."
On Helm, Weaver added: "The player did not accept the charge, but was entitled to mitigation by way of his remorse, his exceptional conduct in the hearing and his off-field community engagement programmes."
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Latest Comments
I think the best 15 we have is DMac. Jordan at 14.
Go to commentsIt certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
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