Quinlan hearing date set

MUNSTER back-row forward Alan Quinlan will find out next Wednesday whether his Lions Tour dream will be ended by suspension following his citing this week.

Quinlan faces an Independent Disciplinary Committee in Dublin as a result of the citing arising from the Heineken Cup semi-final against Leinster at Croke Park last Saturday.

The citing, lodged by commissioner John Byett (England), is for alleged contact with the eye/eye area of Leinster captain Leo Cullen in contravention of Law 10.4 (k).

The independent Disciplinary Committee will be chaired by Roger Morris (Wales) and will also comprise Simon Thomas (Wales) and Mike Hamlin (England).

If Quinlan is found guilty he faces a minimum suspension of 12 weeks, which would almost certainly rule him out of the Lions squad for this summer’s tour to South Africa.

The Lions are due to fly out on May 24, with the first tour match against a Highveld XV on May 30. Quinlan, 34, was a surprise selection in the 37-man Lions squad.