• Magners League

Ospreys facing investigation over Januarie

Ricky Januarie joined Ospreys on loan at the end of November © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: Ospreys cleared over Januarie stint
  

The Ospreys are reportedly facing a European Rugby Cup investigation after Premier Rugby queried the eligibility of South African scrum-half Ricky Januarie.

The Welsh region were scrutinised earlier this year in the wake of their Heineken Cup pool stage victory over Leicester Tigers when fullback Lee Byrne appeared briefly as 16th man. The Ospreys were subsequently fined and Welsh international Byrne had a two-week ban quashed on appeal.

Ospreys' win meant they secured a quarter-final place, booking a tie against Biarritz in San Sebastian on April 10, but ERC chiefs have now been prompted by the organisation that represents England's 12 Guinness Premiership clubs, including Leicester, to query whether Januarie should have been allowed to play in the competition. Januarie joined the Ospreys on loan from Cape Town-based Super 14 outfit the Stormers at the end of November, and is now back playing for them in South Africa.

The Guardian reports that teams can add one player to their Heineken Cup squad during the tournament's pool stages, but competition rules state "he must have at least a three-month contract with the club." The Stormers announced Januarie's move was a two-month deal when they announced his departure to Wales.

He played in Ospreys' final four group games against Viadana (twice), Clermont Auvergne and Leicester. ERC is now reportedly examining terms of Januarie's loan deal, and Ospreys could face a disciplinary hearing if they are deemed to have broken any rules. That could then result in another fine, points deduction or even expulsion from the competition.

The latter option though, would throw this season's Heineken Cup quarter-finals into chaos, with Leicester taking the eighth-seed spot and Northampton, currently England's sole quarter-final representatives, moving up to seventh. Two ties would need to be rescheduled, with Leicester going to Munster instead of Northampton, who would tackle Biarritz rather than the Ospreys.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.