WATCH: Gruesome clear out from La Rochelle prop which could be career-changing
La Rochelle will be without loosehead Georges-Henri Colombe this Sunday against Saracens in the Heineken Champions Cup quarter-finals after the prop was banned for four weeks for a dangerous clear out of Gloucester’s Ruan Ackermann last weekend.
The 24-year-old was yellow carded in the second half for a crocodile roll which forced the Gloucester flanker to leave the field with a knee injury. The decision only to show a yellow card at the time raised a few eyebrows given how dangerous and even career changing croc rolls can be.
Colombe was cited for contravening Law 9.11- ‘A player must not do anything that is reckless or dangerous to others
Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play.’
A statement from European Professional Club Rugby reads: “An independent Disciplinary Committee comprising Antony Davies (England), Chair, Donal Courtney (Ireland) and Frank Hadden (Scotland), viewed footage of the incident and heard evidence by video conference from Colombe, who accepted that he had committed an act of foul play but did not accept that it warranted a red card.
“The committee also heard submissions from the Stade Rochelais Director of Rugby, Ronan O’Gara, from the Stade Rochelais Sporting Director, Robert Mohr, and from the EPCR Disciplinary Officer, Liam McTiernan. The club’s legal representative, Yves-Marie Fève, was also present during the hearing.
“The committee upheld the citing complaint, finding that Colombe had committed a reckless act of foul play. It then determined that the offending was at the mid-range of World Rugby’s sanctions and six weeks was selected as the appropriate entry point.
“Due to the player’s clear disciplinary record and his timely apology to Ackermann, the committee reduced the sanction by two weeks before imposing a four-week suspension.
“If Stade Rochelais qualify for a Heineken Champions Cup semi-final, Colombe will be free to play on Monday 1 May, however, if Stade Rochelais do not qualify for a Heineken Champions Cup semi-final, he will be free to play on Monday 8 May.
“Both the player and EPCR have the right to appeal the decision.”
Take a look at the clear out:
I will call things out when they need calling out.
A yellow card. Ridiculous.
— Jim Hamilton (@jimhamilton4) April 2, 2023
