Ireland star James Ryan ‘did not apologise’ to Malcolm Marx over horror cleanout as full judgement revealed
Ireland lock James Ryan and Springboks hooker Malcolm Marx.
The full judgement of James Ryan’s suspension has been released after the Ireland lock was red carded in their defeat to the Springboks last weekend.
South Africa claimed a 24-13 triumph at the Aviva Stadium where the hosts were given four yellow cards and one red.
Ryan was dismissed after making contact with the head of Boks hooker Malcolm Marx early in the match.
In a desperate attempt to stop Marx from competing over the ball at the breakdown, the Ireland and Leinster star tucked his arm and connected with the front-rower.
No initial apology from James Ryan
It was a nasty-looking incident but, despite the severity of the hit, it was revealed that Ryan did not apologise to the Springboks hooker.
“At no stage on the field, after the game, in the changing rooms, or at the post-match function did the Player make any attempt to apologise to SA#2 for the incident,” it was claimed after Marx provided a statement to the panel.
On the face of it, it is not a great look for Ryan, but the Ireland star attempted to explain why he did not seek out Marx to express remorse.
“When the Red Card was issued, he had not realised that he had made head contact with SA#2 as and thought he had been sent off for coming off his feet and his tucked arm,” Ryan’s defence read.
“The Player initially thought he had made contact with SA#2’s upper body he only realised that he had made head contact the next day when he looked up the footage.
“Should he have known that he had made head contact with SA#2, he would definitely have approached SA#2
“He has had his own issues with concussions and would never attempt to target another player’s head in contact.”
James Ryan learns ban fate after thuggish hit on Malcolm Marx
Mid-range sanction
Ryan’s actions were deemed to be mid-range, providing the starting point of six weeks, but full mitigation was applied given the player’s admittance of guilt and his clean record.
The second-row had never previously received a red card with this incident being described as “atypical” for the 29-year-old.
As for his lack of immediate apology, the disciplinary committee concluded: “The Player explained that circumstances during and after the match did not provide any opportunities for him to interact with SA#2.
“Further, he had highlighted in his testimony that he had not realised he made head contact with SA#2. Player’s Counsel pointed out that Player accepted the Red Card immediately on the field and did not remonstrate with the referee.”
Ryan was handed a three-week ban but it will be reduced to two should the lock complete World Rugby’s Coaching Intervention Programme.
Leinster successfully argued that Saturday’s game with the Dragons should be included in the suspension, which means he could be available for their second Investec Champions Cup match against Leicester Tigers.
“Mr Easterby (Leinster CEO Guy Easterby) indicated as two locks are injured, Leinster would have picked the Player for the upcoming games, which is permitted by the IRFU policy,” the judgement read.
