Three-week ban for Paice

Editor

London Irish hooker David Paice has been suspended for three weeks following an independent Disciplinary Hearing in Dublin on Wednesday.

The hearing arose from the European Rugby Challenge Cup Round 5 match against Grenoble at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday, 17 January.

Paice was sent off by referee, Dudley Phillips (Ireland), in the 57th minute of the Pool 1 game for allegedly striking the Grenoble full-back, Julien Caminati, with his head in contravention of Law 10.4(a).

“The independent Judicial Officer, Jean-Noel Couraud (France), heard evidence and submissions from Paice, who pleaded not guilty to the offence, from the London Irish interim head coach, Glenn Delaney, and the London Irish team manager, Kieran McCarthy, as well as from the EPCR Disciplinary Officer,” read a statement.

“In upholding the red card decision, the Judicial Officer found that Paice had committed an act of foul play. He concluded that the offence was at the low end of World Rugby’s sanctions for offences of this nature and selected four weeks as the appropriate entry point.

“Taking into account the player’s good conduct at the hearing, the Judicial Officer reduced the sanction by the maximum of one week and imposed a suspension of three weeks.

“Paice is free to play on Monday, 9 February 2015. Both the player and EPCR have the right to appeal the decision.”