Bristol Bears lock Josh Caulfield banned for four weeks

Bristol Bears lock Josh Caulfield has been handed a four week suspension following an EPCR independent disciplinary hearing.

The decision follows after EPCR appealed the original decision to overturn the red card issued to Caulfield during the Investec Champions Cup match against Connacht during the round 4 Investec Champions Cup encounter.

Caulfield was sent-off in the 13th minute of the encounter by referee Pierre Brousset for stamping on prop Finlay Bealham but an independent disciplinary committee overturned the red card following which the EPCR launched an appeal.

The new hearing took place on Wednesday with the independent Appeal Committee comprising Sir James Dingemans KC (England), Chair, Jean-Noël Couraud (France) and Donal Courtney (Ireland) and the committee determined that Caulfield had committed an act of foul play in contravention of Law 9.12 and that a red card was warranted.

"The Committee heard evidence from the player and also heard submissions from the player’s legal representative, Sam Jones, Bristol Bears Director of Rugby Pat Lam and from the EPCR Disciplinary Officer, Liam McTiernan," read a statement.

"The Committee determined that Caulfield had committed an act of foul play in contravention of Law 9.12 and that a red card was warranted.

"The Committee then determined that the offending was at the mid-range entry point of World Rugby’s sanctions and six weeks was selected as the appropriate entry point.

"Due to the players’ good disciplinary record, his on-field apology to Finlay Bealham and excellent conduct at the hearing, the Committee decided to reduce the sanction by two weeks before imposing a four-week suspension."