Australian rugby
'Big Dog' Arnold let off the leash as ban overturned
September 9, 2013

Australian Rory Arnold had a seven-match South African Currie Cup ban overturned on Monday by a national rugby body disciplinary committee.

The 2.08-metre Griquas lock appealed after being suspended last Wednesday for allegedly biting Cheetahs hooker Ethienne Reynecke. Arnold was red carded two weeks ago when Reynecke showed the referee bite marks on his arm after the Australian scored a pushover try.

Griquas, who lost 40-20 in Bloemfontein, welcomed the decision as they had hired the 130kg forward to solve a lock injury crisis. Arnold opted for the August-October Currie Cup season after lining up with NSW-Queensland Country against the British and Irish Lions in June.

Meanwhile in London, Leicester and England prop Dan Cole on Monday escaped punishment for an alleged bite on an opponent in the Premiership champions' 32-15 win over Worcester.

The incident came during the second half at Welford Road on Sunday, with pictures appearing to show Cole biting Worcester five-eighth Ignacio Mieres. It left blood on the Argentine's fingers and led former England winger Jon Sleightholme on Twitter to call for Cole to be banned.

However, the English Rugby Football Union has confirmed it will not punish Cole for the incident after consideration from citing commissioner, Peter Larter.

A statement said: "The RFU citing commissioner has viewed the incident many times and using all the available camera angles and believes it is accidental due to the dynamics of the contact as Dan Cole went to ground. No further action is to be taken."

In addition, Worcester chose not to cite Cole themselves during the four-hour window they had.

© AAP

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