Exiles’ Hape gets four-week ban

ENGLAND centre Shontayne Hape has received a four-week ban after admitting making a dangerous tackle during the Heineken Cup clash between London Irish and Edinburgh.

Hape was cited for the tackle on Edinburgh back-row forward David Denton last Saturday. Irish star Hape cannot play again until December 15, meaning he will miss Heineken Cup games against Cardiff and Racing Metro, plus Premiership appointments with Wasps and Saracens.

Hapepleaded guilty to the offence at a hearing yesterday, when Exiles rugby director Toby Booth and team manager Kieran McCarthy made representations on his behalf.

Hape was reported for “dangerous tackling of an opponent, including a tackle or an attempted tackle above the line of the shoulders even if the tackle starts below the line of the shoulders.”

Judicial officer Robert Williams decided the offence was mid-range in terms of its seriousness level with entry point of six weeks.