Ross Moriarty suspended for three games

Ross Moriarty has been suspended for three games following his red card in Ospreys’ United Rugby Championship defeat to Benetton on March 21.

The back-row forward was sent off in the second half of the Round 13 match after being penalised for dangerous play at a ruck, and the disciplinary outcome now rules him out of a key run of fixtures.

Ross Moriarty Suspension Confirmed After Benetton Red Card

Moriarty was shown a red card in the 64th minute of Ospreys’ loss to Benetton. The offence was reviewed under Law 9.20a, which covers dangerous play in a ruck or maul and states that a player must not charge in without binding.

The disciplinary panel upheld the red card decision after determining that the incident met the threshold for a sending-off.

Ospreys Forward Gets Three-Game Rugby Ban

The disciplinary panel assessed the incident at the mid-range entry point, which carried a six-week sanction.

That punishment was then reduced by 50 percent because of Moriarty’s previous record, his remorse and his conduct during the disciplinary process. As a result, the Wales international received a three-game suspension instead of the full six-week penalty.

There is also scope for the suspension to be reduced further. If Moriarty completes the World Rugby Coaching Intervention Programme, one week can be taken off the sanction.

Ross Moriarty Set To Miss Key Ospreys Fixtures

The suspension means Moriarty will miss Ospreys’ URC match against Connacht on March 28 and their EPCR Challenge Cup fixture against Ulster on April 4.

He will also be unavailable for the Challenge Cup quarter-final if Ospreys progress. If they do not reach that stage, the third match in the suspension will be the URC meeting with the Sharks on April 18.