Hearing to determine Brennan’s fate set to go ahead today
The Toulouse forward, alleged to have entered a seating area during the 28-13 victory over Ulster before punching a supporter, was due to attend an independent hearing in Dublin last Thursday.
But legal teams for the player won a 24-hour injunction at the High Court on the grounds the outcome of the hearing could prejudice any criminal proceedings in France and affect Brennan’s right to silence.
Last Thursday, lawyers for both Brennan and the European Rugby Cup (ERC) agreed a hearing would go ahead today – but only on whether or not it would prejudice a case in France.
The 33-year-old is accused of entering the seating area during the game and punching Patrick Bamford, leaving the 25-year-old accountant requiring medical treatment at the ground and on his return home to London.
Bamford has instructed a French lawyer to pursue criminal and civil proceedings against Brennan. He is also taking libel action against a number of news organisations which reported the incident.
ERC have stated that today’s disciplinary hearing will convene “to consider preliminary matters raised by Trevor Brennan’s representatives concerning the misconduct complaint”.
The committee will be chaired by HH Jeff Blackett (England) and will also comprise Rod McKenzie (Scotland) and Achille Reali (Italy).
Meanwhile Wales coach Gareth Jenkins arrived in Scotland last night hoping for a more productive pre-match meeting with referee Alan Lewis than he experienced last weekend.
Jenkins is still frustrated by the performance of referee Kelvin Deaker in Wales’ 19-9 RBS 6 Nations defeat to Ireland at the Millennium Stadium.
Jenkins said: “Referees, they are their own men. All the conversations I had with Deaker were pointless. I would have been better off staying in my room watching television!”
Wales caused something of a diplomatic incident after revealing referee Steve Walsh had vowed to “be mindful” of Ireland’s approach to the contact area in Sunday’s clash with France.
But Walsh then backtracked from his comments in a clear-the-air meeting with Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan.
O’Sullivan explained: “Steve said he was a bit over-zealous in his comments. We had a good discussion, cleared the air and I’m happy that we know what to expect from him and he knows what to expect from us.
“They hung him out to dry a little bit and I sympathise with him on that front. I don’t think the guy was trying to be malicious. He just made a mistake. And it’s disappointing Wales are blaming the referee for their defeat.”
Former Wales prop Brian Williams died suddenly yesterday of a suspected heart attack. He was 46. Williams won five Test caps for Wales over two seasons after making his international debut against Scotland at the Cardiff Arms Park in 1990.
SCOTLAND (v Wales, Murrayfield, tomorrow): H Southwell (Edinburgh); S Lamont (Northampton), M Di Rollo (Edinburgh), R Dewey (Edinburgh), C Paterson (Edinburgh, capt); P Godman (Edinburgh), C Cusiter (Borders); G Kerr (Borders), D Hall (Edinburgh), E Murray (Glasgow), J Hamilton (Leicester), S Murray (Edinburgh), S Taylor (Edinburgh), K Brown (Borders), D Callam (Edinburgh).
Replacements: R Ford (Borders), A Jacobsen (Edinburgh), N Hines (Perpignan), A Hogg (Edinburgh), R Lawson (Gloucester), S Webster (Edinburgh), N Walker (Ospreys).
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