London Irish's Terrence Hepetema handed three-week ban

London Irish centre Terrence Hepetema has been handed a three-week ban following his red-card incident in the recently concluded 12th round of the Gallagher Premiership against Leicester Tigers.

The 29-year-old was sent-off by referee Wayne Barnes in the 60th minute of the game at Mattioli Woods Welford Road for a dangerous tackle on Leicester winger Kobus van Wyk, who had to leave the field.

Hepetema appeared before a three-person independent disciplinary panel comprising of Philip Evans QC (chair), Tom Gilbart and Mitch Read following which the panel deemed his action was 'reckless' and not 'intentional'.

As a result, the panel initially handed him a six-week ban for a mid-range starting point that was reduced by half taking into account the mitigating factors.

"The player and the club gave evidence to the panel in relation to the mechanics of the tackle," read a statement from the independent disciplinary panel.

"Having considered this evidence and having examined the footage carefully, the panel found that the player's action was a reckless one rather than intentional.

"However, in opting to make this type of tackle, he ran the risk that the action might result in an act of foul play occurring. There was no suggestion that the player had deliberately intended to make contact with the opposition player's head."

Hepetema will be free to resume playing from 30th March.

London Irish currently are at sixth place in the Gallagher Premiership table with four wins from 12 matches and will lock horns with Worcester Warriors next at Community Stadium on 14th March. They will also face Cardiff Blues in the knock out game in the European Challenge Cup in the first week of April.