Paul Willemse to face disciplinary hearing for red card against Ireland

Willemse received a red card after two yellow cards for high tackle incidents during France's Six Nations game against Ireland.

Mon, 05 Feb, 2024 - 14:23

Fiona Halligan

French lock Paul Willemse is to appear before an independent disciplinary hearing on Tuesday February 6 (10am) for the red card he received in France's opening Guinness Six Nations clash agaisnt Ireland at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille last Friday evening.

Willemse was issued a yellow card in the eighth minute for a high tackle on Andrew Porter which saw the Irish player leave the field of play for a Head Injury Assessment (HIA).

The bunker deemed that the tackle did not warrant an upgrade to a red card and the Willemse returned to the field of play.

Willemse was given a second yellow card which was sent to the bunker again for review for another high tackle this time on Caelan Doris in the 30th minute and as it was a second yellow was given a red card. The second tackle was upgraded to a straight red card by the bunker upon review.

Willemse will go before independent disciplinary hearing on his red card which was awarded after an act of foul play contrary to Law 9.13 - "A player must not tackle an opponent early, late, or dangerously. Dangerous tackling includes, but is not limited to, tackling, or attempting to tackle an opponent above the line of the shoulders even if the tackle starts below the line of the shoulders."

He has also been cited for an act of foul play contrary to law 9.15 - "Except in a scrum, ruck or maul, a player who is not in possession of the ball must not hold, push, charge or obstruct an opponent not in possession of the ball."

The hearing will be held via video conference where both issues will be hear by the independent Judicial Committee consisting of Stephen Hardy – Chairman (Australia), joined by former internationals Leon Lloyd (England) and Sarah Smith (Scotland).

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