At a hearing in Scotland today (Wednesday), Joe Bearman and Ross Jones appeared before an independent RaboDirect PRO12 Disciplinary Committee comprised of Sheriff Kathrine Mackie (Scotland, chair), Pamela Woodman (Scotland) and Rob Flockhart (Scotland), both having been cited for an infringement of Law 10.4(j) (lifting a player from the ground and dropping or driving that player into the ground whilst that player's feet are still off the ground such that the player's head and/or upper body come into contact with the ground) in the match between Connacht and Ospreys on 15 February 2013.
In the case of Joe Bearman, the Disciplinary Committee found that the player had committed the act of foul play, and found that it merited a low-end entry point. After applying aggravating and mitigating factors, the Disciplinary Committee imposed a sanction of four weeks. Based on the playing schedule of the player, and pursuant to clauses 7.6.36 and 7.6.42 of the RaboDirect PRO12 Disciplinary Rules, the Disciplinary Committee determined that the period of suspension should run until 24 March 2013. The player will be free to play from 25 March 2013 and has a right of appeal.
In the case of Ross Jones, the Disciplinary Committee found that the player had committed the act of foul play, and found that it merited a low-end entry point. After applying aggravating and mitigating factors, the Disciplinary Committee imposed a sanction of three weeks, to run until 10 March 2013. The player will be free to play from 11 March 2013 and has a right of appeal.
Ospreys Rugby are extremely disappointed with this outcome, given the nature and outcome of other high profile recent incidents of a similar nature and the exemplary disciplinary records of both Joe Bearman and Ross Jones.
There will be no further comment on this matter from Ospreys Rugby at this time.
NOTE:
Clause 7.6.36 of the RaboDirect PRO12 Disciplinary Rules reads (in relevant part): 'the IRB sanctions for Foul Play ... are drafted on the basis that a one-week period of suspension would ordinarily result in a player missing one match.'
Clause 7.6.42 of the RaboDirect PRO12 Disciplinary Rules reads (in relevant part): 'in determining the length of any period of suspension, the Disciplinary Committee shall take into consideration all playing consequences of such a suspension and exclude ... any periods in which the Player is not fit, available and expected to play ....'