Quinlan ban appeal set to drag intoNew Year

MUNSTER rugby officials are awaiting written confirmation of Alan Quinlan’s six-week suspension imposed on Wednesday by the Heineken Cup commission before lodging their anticipated appeal.

Once the letter arrives, they will have 72 hours in which to make their case as to why the ban should be lifted altogether or reduced to a minimum four-week period.

Given the time of year, however, it is likely to be after Christmas before any further action is taken and in that case Quinlan will miss Wednesday’s Magners League clash with Leinster at Thomond Park and the game on New Year’s Eve against Connacht in Galway.