British & Irish Lions hooker Dan Sheehan will miss Leinster’s first three matches of the new URC campaign after copping a four-game suspension for a reckless cleanout in the final Test against Australia.
The disciplinary panel found Sheehan guilty of dangerous and reckless foul play during a ruck entry in the third Test in Sydney, noting that his elbow-first action made direct contact with the head of an Australian player and carried a high degree of danger, with no mitigating factors.
“Sheehan was cited for charging into a ruck pursuant to Law 9.20(a) during the British and Irish Lions test match against Australia in the Accor Stadium in Sydney on Saturday 2 August,” reads World Rugby’s statement on the matter.
It goes on to say: “In determining the sanction, the Committee noted that in his submissions, the player had not accepted that foul play occurred and did not accept that the offence warranted the citing. The Committee reviewed the matter, including submissions and footage, and determined that Sheehan’s actions were contrary to Law 9.20(a) (charging into a ruck or maul).”
While the ban begins with Leinster’s pre-season friendly against Cardiff, it crucially sidelines Sheehan for the opening stretch of the United Rugby Championship – against the Stormers in Cape Town, the Sharks in Durban, and Munster in a much-anticipated Irish derby.
There is, however, a route back for the hooker ahead of that Munster clash. If Sheehan completes the World Rugby Coaching Intervention Programme, he’ll be eligible to face Munster at Croke Park.
