Cardiff fly-half Dan Fish suspended for three weeks

Cardiff fly-half Dan Fish has been suspended for three weeks following the recently concluded Heineken Champions Cup game against Harlequins played at Twickenham Stoop last weekend.

Fish was cited by the citing commissioner for a dangerous tackle on the head of Harlequins fullback Tyrone Green in the 80th minute of the game that saw the Premiership side register a 43-17 win.

The 31-year-old attended an independent disciplinary hearing with the panel comprising of Gareth Graham (England), Chair, Tony Wheat (England) and Yannick Jauzion (France) and was proved guilty of the charges.

"Fish was cited by the match Citing Commissioner, Ciaran Scally (Ireland), for making contact in a dangerous manner with the head of the Harlequins full back, Tyrone Green, in the 80th minute of the match in contravention of Law 9.16," read a statement from the EPCR.

"Law 9.16 A player must not charge or knock down an opponent carrying the ball without attempting to grasp that player.
Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 9.16 carries the following sanction entry points – Low End: 2 weeks; Mid-range: 6 weeks; Top end: 10 to 52 weeks.

"The independent Disciplinary Committee comprising Gareth Graham (England), Chair, Tony Wheat (Ireland) and Yannick Jauzion (France) considered video imagery of the incident and heard evidence and submissions from Fish, who pleaded guilty to the charge, from the player’s legal representative, Richard Locke, from the Cardiff Rugby Team Manager, Gafyn Cooper, and from the EPCR Disciplinary Officer, Liam McTiernan.

"The Committee upheld the complaint, finding that Fish had made contact with Green’s head in a dangerous manner. It then determined that the offence was at the mid-range of World Rugby’s sanctions and selected six weeks as the appropriate entry point.

"Taking into account the player’s guilty plea and excellent disciplinary record, and there being no aggravating factors, the Committee reduced the sanction by three weeks before imposing a three-week suspension."

He will now be free to resume playing from 17th January.