Players' union alarmed by disciplinary inconsistencies

The Irish Rugby Union Players Association (IRUPA) has "grown exceedingly frustrated and disappointed with the continued inconsistencies in the application of disciplinary sanctions to players".

The association was reacting after Munster's John Hayes' ban for stamping during the Leinster game was reduced to five weeks while Shane Jennings of Leinster was banned for 12 weeks for eye gouging during their Heineken Cup opener against London Irish last week.

The association said: "This is an issue which comes up time and again with our members both in Ireland and elsewhere.

"Whilst IRUPA does not condone foul play whatsoever and believes that those players that do commit foul pay should be disciplined, players must see some uniformity in the manner in which the administrators hand out disciplinary sanctions in order for the players to regain any form of trust in the system."

Niall Woods, IRUPA CEO said: "There is a real need for the Disciplinary Personnel whether citing officers or members of panels to have some direct form of professional rugby experience in order for them to fully appreciate the playing situations that professional players find themselves in."

"IRUPA is urging the administrators and in particular the IRB as the world governing body to drastically revamp the whole disciplinary process. There is too much unpredictability in the level of sanctions handed out and this is why there is a complete lack of trust in the system amongst players."