In the 40th minute of the game between Leicester and Edinburgh, Leicester second row Will Spencer was shown a red card for his tackle on Wasps’ hooker Tommy Taylor. An independent disciplinary panel reviewed the incident at length and “rejected the player’s evidence that any contact with the opposition player had been limited to the top of his shoulder with no contact being made to his head.”
“The panel found on the balance of probabilities that this was a reckless tackle that resulted in direct, forceful contact to the head of Tommy Taylor.” – Panel chair Euan Ambrose
Will Spencer received what is considered a medium punishment for his actions because of no prior offenses and a clear record. He will miss four weeks and will be eligible to return on the field on October 16.
Geordan Murphy and Richard Cockerill disagree with the decision
Last year, World Rugby increased penalties for reckless tackles over shoulder height in an attempt to reduce head injuries and concussions in the sport to much dismay of coaches and players alike. Most of them criticised the decision to ban Will Spencer. Leicester’s coach Geordan Murphy was angry at the decision to send him off, saying head contact rules made it difficult for taller players to tackle effectively without risking yellow or red cards. Edinburgh head coach Richard Cockerill took his side.
“It’s a game of rough and tumble,”
“If you don’t want to get hurt, don’t play the sport. It’s one of those things. You want the game to be safe but you just have to go and play and accept that there are risks in playing.”
“I watched the game and the tackle is, by the letter of the law, probably a red card,”
“However, the only person who seemed to have a problem with it was the TMO [Television match official]. The referee didn’t, the players didn’t. It’s a really tough one because it ruins the game.”
Nevertheless, the suspension will stand.
Leicester Tigers vs Worcester Warriors match moved to Sunday
The Leicester Tigers were set to play their next Gallagher Premiership Rugby match against the Worcester Warriors on Saturday, but due to traffic and policing reasons, the match will now be played on Sunday, September 23 instead. Leicester City FC host Huddersfield at 16:00 CET on Saturday, a game which coincided with the Tigers vs Warriors’ proposed 15:00 CET kick-off time, thus leading to postponement.
