Six Nations
Scotland fly-half Russell banned for Biggar tackle
ESPN Staff
February 18, 2015
Finn Russell caught Dan Biggar in mid-air © Getty Images
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Finn Russell will miss Scotland's Six Nations match against Italy after being suspended for two weeks after his "reckless" tackle on Dan Biggar. The 22-year-old fly-half was handed a three-week ban, reduced by a week for his clean record, after appearing before a disciplinary panel in London on Wednesday. Russell avoided a lengthy ban as the Six Nations' disciplinary officers judged his tackle on Biggar in Sunday's 26-23 defeat to Wales to be "reckless rather than deliberate". Russell collided with Biggar as his Wales counterpart leapt for a high ball during the first half of Scotland's slender Murrayfield defeat at the weekend. Ospreys playmaker Biggar landed in a heap, but avoided serious injury and was able to continue. New Zealand referee Glen Jackson sin-binned Russell, but a Six Nations disciplinary committee ruled the offence warranted a red card. "The disciplinary committee decided that the offence was reckless rather than deliberate," read a Six Nations statement. "The committee considered it at the lower end of World Rugby's scale of seriousness, carrying a three-week suspension. "It noted the absence of aggravating factors and the existence of certain mitigating factors, including the player's clear disciplinary record, in applying a one-week reduction from the entry point." Scotland host Italy at Murrayfield in a third-round Six Nations tie on February 28. Russell will miss that clash, but will be available for the final two matches against England and Ireland.
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