Bristol Bears' star loosehead prop Ellis Genge will play no further part in the club's season after being banned for two games for a dangerous tackle in the 36-20 home defeat to Sale Sharks on Friday night.
Genge was shown a yellow card in the 54th minute of the contest at Ashton Gate for a tackle on fellow England teammate Tom Curry which saw him make contact with the head of the Sharks flanker with his left shoulder. After looking at the incident with the help of TMO Dean Richards, match referee Luke Pearce judged the illegal tackle was only worthy of a yellow card as he judged it to not be 'highly dangerous.' However, on review, citing officer Dave Guyan decided the tackle met the criteria of a red card offence and so has called Genge before an independent disciplinary panel which sat last night.
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Genge accepted the charge and received a three-week ban which will be reduced to two if he completes the World Rugby Coaching Intervention Programme.
Panel chair, Matthew Weaver KC, said: "“Ellis Genge accepted the charge of dangerously tackling Tom Curry, contrary to World Rugby Law 9.13, prior to the hearing and, as such, the panel needed to consider only the appropriate sanction.
"Having considered the incident, including viewing footage of it both in real-time and in slow motion, and it being confirmed that Tom Curry had suffered no significant injury, the panel were content that the appropriate entry point was the mandatory minimum of mid-range, being a six-week suspension from playing.
"In light of his acceptance of the charge at the earliest opportunity, his apology to Tom Curry, and his previously good disciplinary record over a long career of over 150 top level matches and 40 international matches, the panel were content to mitigate the suspension by the maximum 50%, reducing the suspension to a 3-week suspension.
"Ellis Genge has confirmed his intention to participate in the World Rugby Coaching Intervention Programme which, if he is confirmed as eligible and conditional upon him completing the programme, will reduce his suspension to two weeks, meaning that he will be unavailable for Bristol Bears’ matches against Exeter Chiefs on 22nd April and against Gloucester on 6th May,”
As a result of the panel's decision, England will be available to play in all of England's pre-World Cup warm up games.
In his first season back at Bristol after re-joining the club having skipper Leicester Tigers to the title last term, Genge has played just 11 games for the club due to his international commitments and the mandatory rest EPS [Elite Player Squad] players must have as part of Premiership Rugby's agreement with the RFU.
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