Three-week suspension for Rory Kockott

Castres scrum-half Rory Kockott has received a three-week suspension following an independent disciplinary hearing in Paris on Wednesday.

Kockott was cited by the match Citing Commissioner, Chris Catling (England), for making contact with the eye and/or the eye area of the Munster flanker Chris Cloete, in the 21st minute of Saturday’s Champions Cup match in contravention of Law 9.12.

Law 9.12 – Contact with the eye
Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 9.12 carries the following sanction entry points – Low end: 12 weeks; Mid-range: 18 weeks; Top end: 24 to 208 weeks

Law 9.12 – Contact with the eye area
Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 9.12 carries the following sanction entry points – Low end: 4 weeks; Mid-range: 8 weeks; Top end: 12 to 52 weeks

“An independent Disciplinary Committee consisting of Pamela Woodman (Scotland), Chair, Anthony Davies (England) and Leon Lloyd (England), heard evidence and submissions from Kockott, who pleaded guilty to the charge of making contact with the eye area, from the Castres Olympique Managing Director, Matthias Rolland, from the Castres Olympique legal representative, Clément Germain, and from the EPCR Disciplinary Officer, Liam McTiernan,” read an EPCR statement.

“The Committee upheld the citing complaint in that it warranted a red card and found that Kockott had made contact with Cloete’s eye area. It was decided that the act of foul play was at the low end of World Rugby’s sanctions and four weeks was selected as the appropriate entry point.

“Due to the player’s guilty plea and good conduct at the hearing, the Committee decided to reduce the sanction by one week before imposing a three-week suspension.”

Kockott is free to play on Monday, 7 January 2019, and both he and EPCR have the right to appeal the decision.