Heineken Cup
Rush receives one-week ban
ESPNscrum Staff
December 22, 2010
Cardiff Blues' Xavier Rush looks back after being sent off, Cardiff v Northampton, Heineken Cup, Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff, Wales, December 19, 2010
Cardiff Blues' Xavier Rush looks back after being sent off against Northampton © Getty Images
Enlarge
Related Links
Players/Officials: Courtney Lawes | Xavier Rush
Tournaments/Tours: Heineken Cup

Cardiff Blues No.8 Xavier Rush has been handed a one-week ban for the red card he received during his side's Heineken Cup clash with Northampton on Sunday.

Rush was sent off by referee Jerome Garces for a dangerous tackle above the line of the shoulders on Courtney Lawes, in contravention of Law 10.4 (e). The red card played a significant role in Cardiff's defeat as Northampton came from behind to snatch a 23-19 victory at the Cardiff City stadium. Rush will miss Cardiff's Magners League clash away to Newport Gwent Dragons on Monday.

After Wednesday's disciplinary hearing, an ERC statement read: "It was a recklessly effected tackle with no intent by Mr Rush to make contact as high as he did. There was also no intent to cause injury and Mr Lawes appeared to almost be on one knee at the time of impact.

"The independent judicial officer considered there were no aggravating factors and he accepted that Mr Rush pleaded guilty, that he had an excellent record, that he showed remorse and that he conducted himself well at the hearing. This mitigation resulted in a one-week reduction from the entry point of two weeks.

"Mr Rush is therefore suspended for one week up to and including December 27 and is free to play on December 28."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

Live Sports

Communication error please reload the page.

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices