Maso backing Baby

France team manager Jo Maso has given his full backing to Benoit Baby after the centre was cited by the independent match commissioner during Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations match with Ireland in Dublin.

Baby, who was making his international debut for France, allegedly headbutted Brian O’Driscoll in the 47th minute of Les Bleus’ 26-19 win over the Irish at Lansdowne Road.

The Frenchman has now been cited under IRB law 10.4 (a) and will face a three-man disciplinary committee in London tomorrow.

If found guilty, he could miss France’s final Six Nations match against Italy.

Baby, Maso, national coach Bernard Laporte and the French Rugby Federation’s lawyer will travel to London for the hearing, and Maso is prepared to defend the player over the incident which he has put down to inexperience.

“This is a real shame because it was Benoit’s first international match and it was a success,” said Maso.

“We saw him do that gesture and this is something that we should never see in rugby, but on a sporting level I will defend him - this is a young person’s mistake. We will plead for leniency, he is only 21. He was himself surprised at his own action.”

O’Driscoll was not injured and even offered to exchange shirts with Baby after the match – a gesture which Maso applauded.

“O’Driscoll made sure his shirt would go to Baby after the match - this was a class reaction,” added Maso. “Benoit was very surprised too.”

Laporte also praised his young player, adding: “He is a very humble man. This is actually one of his top qualities.”