Ban rules Jack McGrath out of big Leinster clashes

Leinster’s Champions Cup planning has been thrown into some disarray after Jack McGrath was suspended for the final two pool games.

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt will have breathed a sigh of relief last night after loosehead prop McGrath escaped a lengthy ban after a citing complaint for an act of foul play was upheld by an independent disciplinary committee. But Leinster must now prepare for their European encounters with Castres and Wasps later this month without the front rower.

With head coach Matt O’Connor not expecting fellow prop Cian Healy back in action for the two pool ties, the last thing he needed was losing his other Test loosehead. McGrath had been cited for an alleged stamp on Ireland front row team-mate Rory Best during Leinster’s Pro12 win over Ulster at the RDS on Saturday.