England flanker has ‘moment of madness’ after ban for headbutting opponent

England flanker Emily Robinson has been handed a five-week ban for headbutting an opponent during a Premiership Women’s Rugby match.

After the final whistle of Harlequins’ 31-0 defeat to Saracens had blown, Robinson took exception to the actions of Sydney Gregson.

The centre pushed her 18-year-old team-mate Ella Cromack, with the flanker retaliating by flinging her head into Gregson.

Red card handed out

Although the match had concluded, she was handed a red card after the referee had consulted with his assistant.

Robinson apologised for her actions and stated that it was a “complete lack of judgement,” and that she had “let the emotion of the occasion” get to her.

In a statement at the hearing, the Quins forward also described it as a “moment of madness” which eventually saw her receive a five-week ban.

It came in at an entry point which carried a 10-week suspension, but it was halved after the usual mitigation was applied.

Judicial officer Oliver Clark deemed that, “the conduct, remorse and record of the player merited the award of the full 50 per cent mitigation.”

“Mortified”

Head of rugby operations Andrew Rhys Jones said that Robinson was “clearly mortified by her actions”, while the back-rower added that it was “out of character.”

The 23-year-old has been a key part of the Harlequins squad since joining in 2019 and was rewarded with an England call-up for the 2023 Six Nations.

Robinson then made her debut in the dominant 68-5 triumph over Italy before the Red Roses went on to claim yet another Grand Slam.

As a result of the ban, she will miss Quins’ next five matches, which includes the Christmas and New Year schedule, and will only return at the end of January.

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