Brennan misconduct hearing to proceed

FORMER Ireland lock Trevor Brennan will appear before an independent disciplinary committee on March 16 after his appeal to adjourn the hearing for his misconduct charge was dismissed yesterday.

Brennan is alleged to have entered a seating area during Toulouse’s 28-13 Heineken Cup victory over Ulster last month and punched a supporter, who has since begun criminal and civil proceedings.

Representatives of the Toulouse forward requested an adjournment of the hearing on the grounds the outcome could prejudice the criminal proceedings in France and affect Brennan’s right to silence.

But yesterday’s decision to proceed with the final hearing ensures the 33-year-old, who is facing a lengthy ban, will discover next month if his playing career has been ended prematurely.

Before the incident took place, he had indicated his decision to retire at the end of the current season.

Earlier yesterday it was confirmed Brennan had been banned by the French Rugby Federation until March 15.

The International Rugby Board requested Toulouse take the measure as it was “in the interests of the game”.

Brennan is alleged to have struck Patrick Bamford, leaving the 25-year-old accountant requiring medical treatment at the ground and on his return home to London.

Brennan claimed he was provoked by derogatory chants during the game. Bamford is also taking libel action against a number of news organisations which reported the incident. Meanwhile, Frank Sheahan and Federico Pucciariello are to remain with Munster for at least another two seasons.

“Given where I was even this time last year, struggling to get over injury, I am delighted I was in a position to be looking at extending my contract,” said Sheahan.

“Now that that’s done I can concentrate on my rugby and look forward to what’s ahead of us.”

Sheahan made his debut for Munster in November 1996 against Western Samoa in Musgrave Park.

Since then he has been capped 128 times by the province.

Pucciariello will celebrate his 32nd birthday in June and like Sheahan had little difficulty in deciding to stay. “For me, Munster is the best club of my career. This is a great team. There are so many great players here, I am delighted to stay.”

Meanwhile, Ulster yesterday confirmed that they have signed Scottish international centre Robert Dewey on a two-year contract.

Dewey, will join Ulster from Edinburgh.