Cardiff's Ben Thomas suspended for three matches
Cardiff’s Ben Thomas gets three-match ban after 20-minute red card for dangerous clear-out.
©Steve Haag
Cardiff centre Ben Thomas has been suspended for three matches following a red card received in his side’s URC win over the Lions.
His sending off came around 20 minutes into the game, and involved a dangerous clear-out on Lions scrum-half Nico Steyn.
Initially shown a yellow card by match referee Filippo Russo after intervention from the TMO, the decision was upgraded to red on review.
Thomas accepted that his action met the threshold for foul play and was liable for a red card under Law 9.20a (dangerous play in a ruck or maul).
Under URC disciplinary rules, Thomas’s entry point was mid-range (six weeks).
The ban was reduced to three matches due to his clean disciplinary record, acceptance of wrongdoing, and conduct during the hearing. If he completes the World Rugby Coaching Intervention Programme, his suspension will be reduced by one game.
He will miss Cardiff’s matches at Munster and at home to Connacht. Should his ban be reduced, he would become available again for the derby versus Dragons in round four of the season.
Cardiff still secured a comeback win 33-20 in the match despite being down to 14 men.
