Newcastle Falcons hooker Charlie Maddison cited after Challenge Cup opener against Connacht

by The TRU Team Tuesday 13 December 2022

Newcastle Falcons went on to lose the game against Connacht with a 22-8 margin

©PA

Newcastle Falcons hooker Charlie Maddison has been cited for an incident following his side's Heineken Champions Cup game against Connacht last weekend.

Maddison was cited by citing commissioner Kay Winter-Green for a dangerous tackle on Connacht Rugby scrum-half Caolin Blade.

He will now face an independent disciplinary hearing on Wednesday with the panel comprising of Owen Rhys James (Wales), Chair, Pamela Woodman (Scotland) and Piergiorgo Della Porta (Italy).

"EPCR has received a citing complaint against the Newcastle Falcons replacement hooker, Charlie Maddison (No 16), arising from his club’s EPCR Challenge Cup, Round 1 match against Connacht Rugby at The Sportsground on Saturday, 10 December 2022.

"Maddison is alleged to have struck the Connacht Rugby scrum-half, Caolin Blade (No 9), with his head in a dangerous manner in contravention of Law 9.12.

"Law 9.12 A player must not strike an opponent with his head. Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 9.12 relating to striking with the head carries the following sanction entry points - Low End: 6 weeks; Mid-range: 10 weeks; Top end: 16 to 104 weeks."

The game saw Connacht register a 22-8 victory riding on tries from Paul Boyle, Adam Byrne and Diarmuid Kilgallen.