The Rugby Thread

[Liverpel]

Pape been cited for his knee on Heaslip.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/31493693

Ireland's Jamie Heaslip is facing four weeks on the sidelines and will miss the crucial clash with England after Pascal Pape's knee to his back resulted in fractures to three of his vertebrae, the IRFU has confirmed.

Heaslip played on for seven minutes, despite having three fractured vertebrae.

He'll be missed for the England game.

[Buzzo]

Finn Russell, the Scotland outside half, appeared today before an independent Six Nations Disciplinary Committee at Heathrow, having been cited under Law 10.4 (e) and (i) for an alleged dangerous tackle of an opponent in the air in the 31st minute of the RBS 6 Nations match between Scotland and Wales on Sunday 15 February 2015.

The Disciplinary Committee, chaired by Mike Hamlin (England) along with Jean-Philippe Lachaume (France) and Pat Barriscale (Ireland), having heard from the player and his representative and viewed various TV angles of the incident, determined that Finn Russell had committed an act of foul play which merited a red card rather than the on-field yellow card given by the Match Officials.

The Disciplinary Committee decided that the offence should be categorised under Law 10.4 (i) and that it was reckless rather than deliberate. The Committee considered it at the lower end of World Rugby's scale of seriousness carrying a 3 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.

Finn Russell is suspended from playing until midnight on Sunday 1 March 2015 and has the right of appeal.

[Rigadon]

We're off again. Interesting fixtures - fight for first and second (Ire v Eng), game for third and fourth (Fra v Wal) and the Wooden Spoon decider (Sco v Ita)? All good games but I expect home wins.

No code has to be inserted here.Been a good championship so far. All games have been fairly tight (Italy held England for long periods of their game - despite England pulling away at the end).

No code has to be inserted here.

[RichC]

That's a good looking table !

Tournament decider for me tomorrow, going to be an interesting game I think and I can see it being decided on who gives the least pens away.

[Chazza]

Pfft.

I've gone risky with selections.

They either pay off or it will all go to **** and put me out of it

[RichC]

I've not done mine yet best crack on before it's too late though

[ChesterDave]

5 transfers made. Could have done with a 6th!

[Chazza]

Fancy Scotland to put on a decent performance.

[RichC]

I took a punt with Bringing Hogg into my side.

[Chazza]

Should be points in it for him.

[RichC]

Potentially, tough to make choices for this weeks games.

[ChesterDave]

Hogg brought into my team today as well

[ChesterDave]

Poor start from Italy.

[ChesterDave]

That said...

Top, TOP maul from the Italians and its now 10-5 with possible conversion to come

[Chazza]

Piss poor penalty earns Italy a try