Andrew Coombs, the Newport Gwent Dragons lock forward, appeared before an independent Pro12 Rugby Disciplinary Committee in Dublin on Tuesday 16 September , having been cited for an alleged stamp on an opponent's head in the Guinness Pro12 match between the Dragons and Ospreys on Friday 12 September.
The Disciplinary Committee, chaired by Michael Coghlan, along with Philip Orr and George Spotswood (all Ireland), viewed the footage and listened to representations made by and on behalf of the player. They upheld the citing from the independent Citing Commissioner and found that the offence should be categorised in the mid-range of the IRB's sanctions, carrying an entry point of a 5 week suspension. In imposing a suspension of 3 weeks, the Committee took into account the various mitigating factors, including the player's apology to his opponent and his previous good disciplinary record.
Law 10.4(b). A player must not stamp or trample on an opponent
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