Michele Rizzo + Rabah Slimani Red Cards France v Italy Part 2/2

Michele Rizzo and Rabah Slimani, replacement prop forwards for Italy and France respectively, appeared before an independent Six Nations Disciplinary Committee at London Heathrow on Wednesday 12 February 2014, having received red cards for foul play towards the end of the RBS 6 Nations match at Stade de France on Sunday 9 February 2014.

The Committee, chaired by Mike Hamlin (England), alongside George Spotswood (Ireland) and John Doubleday (England), viewed footage of the incident in which each player had allegedly struck the other with his head, contrary to Law 10.4 (a), and listened to the players and their respective representatives.

Both players agreed that the red cards had been correctly awarded by the referee and, in imposing sanctions in each case, the Committee found the foul play to be at the low end of the IRB's scale of offending (which carries a four-week entry point).

Michele Rizzo, who had a previous clear disciplinary record, was afforded a two-week reduction in light of mitigating factors and was suspended for two weeks. However, this two-week suspension is to be served over a period of three weeks because the Committee was informed that the player would not have played the next weekend in any event. He was free to resume playing on Monday, 3 March 2014.

Rabah Slimani was also afforded a two-week reduction in light of mitigating factors, resulting in a two week suspension. This suspension is to be served over the following two weeks, including the forthcoming weekend (the Committee found that the player wasavailable to play for his club, Stade Francais, on the first break weekend had he not received a suspension). He was free to resume playing on Monday, 24 February 2014.