Ineligible: Tyson Keats
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London Welsh are to appear at an RFU hearing charged with fielding an ineligible player in a number of Aviva Premiership matches.
The case relating to the registration of scrum-half Tyson Keats will be heard on Tuesday, March 5, by a panel of Jeremy Summers (chairman), Premiership Rugby Chief Executive Mark McCafferty and Dr Julian Morris at the offices of Slater & Gordon, Chancery Lane, London.
The club's former Rugby Manager Mike Scott is the subject of a separate RFU Disciplinary Hearing relating to the registration of the same player and has been charged under RFU Rule 5.12 for 'conduct prejudicial to the interests of the Union or the Game'. That case will be heard at a later date.
Keats joined Welsh from Aironi after previously playing for the Crusaders and Hurricanes in Super Rugby.
The newly-promoted side, who are currently 11th in the Aviva Premiership table and only three points clear of bottom club Sale Sharks, could face a possible points deduction if found guilty.
"This is obviously a serious matter which the club has not only brought to the attention of the RFU but is also working closely with the RFU to provide full cooperation whilst the case is being prepared and ultimately heard next week," said Welsh CEO Tony Copsey.
"Due to the sensitive nature and the impending hearing the club is unable to make any further comment at this time."
Comments
Bones7 says...
It's amazing that top sides make these kind of mistakes accidentally or think they can cheat the system without anyone knowing. I don't know which one it was, I assume the former, but still pretty poor either way.
Posted 23:04 26th February 2013
Startledwombat says...
Hang on, what's the fuss, I thought the whole point of London Welsh was that they are a side of imports?
Posted 19:45 26th February 2013
rugbydaft says...
The lawyers should not have been involved in the first place they won the league and therefore should have been promoted ,
It's difficult enough to survive in the primer league without all the crap
Posted 19:40 26th February 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
I expect they will drop a point or two. Do it quick and let the rugby decide their fate. Significant breach of salary cap for several top players is a way way way worse offence so they need to be very careful here on not getting too tough on the small team single player offence. Just supposing say Sarries were done for significant salary cap offences then I'd deduct at least a point from every win they had and give it to the opponent that lost. For team that beat them with three tries, give them a bonus point win. For every team that lost without a bonus point give them a bonus point loss. For those that lost with a bonus point, give them the win and Sarries lose the win and instead only get the bonus point loss. Not meaning to single out Sarries. Remove Sarries bonus points from losses. Thats how tough Id hit a team in top 4 gaining from endemic salary cheating. Just a theoretical example.... i hope...
Posted 19:23 26th February 2013
NHsaints says...
This could be the relegation blow for Welsh, not what you want to see, rugby decided in the courtroom not on the pitch...
Posted 18:28 26th February 2013
nabberuk says...
i do find it funny that lawyers brought them into the top flight and it's going to be lawyers that help demote them.
Posted 18:03 26th February 2013