Ulster prop Andy Warwick suspended for three weeks

Ulster prop Andy Warwick has been handed a three-week suspension following the recently concluded Heineken Champions Cup against Sale Sharks.

Warwick was cited by citing commissioner for a dangerous tackle on Sale’s Manu Tuilagi for a breach of contravention of Law 9.13.

He was initially handed a six-week suspension that was reduced by half following his guilty plea, conduct during hearing and other mitigating factors.

“The committee upheld the citing complaint, finding that in executing the tackle in a dangerous manner, Warwick had made contact with Tuilagi’s head. It then determined that the offending was at the mid-range of World Rugby’s sanctions and six weeks was selected as the appropriate entry point," read a statement from EPCR.

“As the player has a good disciplinary record, and as he admitted that he had committed an act of foul play, it was decided to grant him the full 50% mitigation and the committee therefore reduced the sanction by three weeks before imposing a three-week suspension.

“Warwick is free to play on Monday, 2 January 2023, however, if he applies for and successfully completes a World Rugby Coaching Intervention, he will be free to play on Monday, 26 December 2022.”

He will now miss Ulster's games against La Rochelle and Connacht but could be available for their third game if he completes a ‘coaching intervention’ course.