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The RWC 2019 place for Paul Gabrillagues has been placed in doubt today after he received a 6 week ban for foul play against Scotland on Sunday. Having been cited the French second-rower pleaded guilty.
The Disciplinary Committee of Simon Thomas (UK), Donal Courtney (Ireland), and Valeriu Toma (Romania) viewed footage from the 16th minute incident and concluded that there had been contact made with the head of an opponent. As such a violation had taken place contrary to Law 9.20 which states that a player must not charge into a ruck or maul.
The decision ultimately means that Gabrillagues ought to have been red carded in the match. Yet with the incident having been missed by referee Nigel Owens (Wales), and TMO Graham Hughes (England) the player would remain on the field.
The Disciplinary Committee’s decision determined that the foul play had been intentional and dangerous. As such they concluded that it merited a top-end entry which according to Regulation 17, carries a minimum 10-week suspension.
With Gabrillagues having pleading guilty, having apologizing to the player, and having behaved well and the hearing the disciplinary committee reduced his suspension by 40% to make it a 6 week ban. This means he is now free to play again as of midnight on Sunday, October 6.
France will play against Tonga on Sunday, October 06. The fixture is to be France’s third of of group stage at RWC 2019. Gabrillagues thereby will not be able to face either Argentina, or the USA in France’s prior Pool C fixtures.
Gabrillagues now has 48 hours to make an appeal or accept the outcome while France’s coaching staff must determine whether to take him and see him unable to play initial matches.
There are three other second-rower presently on the French roster – Félix Lambey, Romain Taofifénua, and Sebastián Vahaamahina. Additional cover comes from flankers Arthur Iturria, and Bernard Le Roux.
