Uncertainty across Europe about the precise definition of “foul play” in rugby union shows no sign of easing after the decision to give Leicester’s Guy Porter a three-week ban for an off-the-ball collision with Clermont’s Fritz Lee in Sunday’s Champions Cup last-16 tie. The original red card has been upheld and Porter will now miss Saturday’s second leg at Welford Road.
Leicester and Porter contested the charge but an independent disciplinary panel, chaired by Wales’s Roger Morris, found the Tigers centre “had committed a reckless act of foul play” even though neither player had the ball and the head clash looked accidental. The offence was deemed to be in the mid-range category of World Rugby sanctions but Porter’s suspension was halved because of his previously clear disciplinary record.
Both the player and European Professional Club Rugby have the right to appeal, which demonstrates the determination of rugby’s authorities to try to minimise head contact in the game. The case, however, sets a big precedent given Porter was fully entitled to try to close down the space available to Clermont’s midfield at pace, had his eyes fixed on the ball-carrying Camille Lopez and was not actively seeking contact with Lee.
That was not how the panel, which included the former Ireland fly-half David Humphreys and ex-Scotland coach Frank Hadden, ultimately saw it, despite a submission in Porter’s defence from Leicester Tigers’ general manager, Leigh Jones. Porter is free to play on 27 April but will be available 48 hours earlier if he completes a World Rugby tackle technique awareness course.
The verdict comes on the same day as a five-week ban was given to Brive’s full-back Axel Muller for what the panel ruled was an intentional head-high tackle on Saracens’ Ben Harris. A separate disciplinary panel, chaired by England’s Samantha Hillas QC, identified it as a top-end offence but slashed the 10-week tariff by 50 per cent because of the player’s guilty plea and previous clean record.
For a clearly dangerous, intentional high hit to sideline the culprit for just two weeks more than the unfortunate Porter underlines the increasing lack of consistency in disciplinary outcomes. Leinster’s Jamison Gibson-Park, for example, had his citing case dismissed after an upright tackle against Connacht in which he caught Kieran Marmion’s head with his shoulder.
As a result Gibson-Park is available to start the second leg in Dublin as Leinster look to nail down a potential quarter-final against Leicester. The Irish province also welcome back their international front-rowers Andrew Porter and Ronan Kelleher for Friday’s tea-time kick-off at the Aviva Stadium.
In Friday’s other tie, Bristol, seeking to protect a one-point advantage from the first leg in Salford, have again selected Charles Piutau and Semi Radradra on the bench for the rematch with Sale at Ashton Gate. Radradra scored the only try of the game last week but Lam believes his chosen starting XV is better suited to neutering Sale’s direct style of play.
The Sharks director of rugby, Alex Sanderson, has made one starting change, the fit-again Tom Roebuck replacing Jack Metcalf. The England scrum-half Raffi Quirke has a hamstring injury, however, so Gus Warr will be the bench understudy to Faf de Klerk. Remarkably all but one of Sale’s pack and both half-backs hail from South Africa, with another three of their compatriots on the bench.
In the Challenge Cup the soon-to-retire Sean O’Brien is at No 8 for London Irish against Castres, while Wasps will field Brad Shields, Jack Willis and Alfie Barbeary in their starting back-row for the home game against Biarritz. Winger Ben Stevenson is poised to make his first start for Newcastle Falcons since November when they host Glasgow Warriors at Kingston Park.
