Wood's Quick Dismissal Leads to Lengthy Ban

Nick Wood saw red in Gloucester’s recent Aviva Premiership match against Saracens at Allianz Park. Referee Wayne Barnes dismissed the prop forward after just 73 seconds for stamping on the head of Namibian international Jacques Burger, which left his head split open from the impact.

The sending off is the second fastest in Premiership rugby history behind Mick Watson's dismissal after 42 seconds when playing for London Scottish against Bath in May 1999.

Wood immediately apologised after the incident both on and off the field, and this, along with the fact that he has had a good disciplinary record throughout his career, has led to the RFU giving him an eight-week ban meaning he will not be available for selection until 13th November.

Gloucester also used video evidence to show that Wood had no intention of stamping on Burgers head and Wood pleaded Guilty himself, which may have helped reduce the ban. Burger has since accepted his apology and moved to draw a line under the situation.

The news will still come as a bitter blow to Gloucester head coach Nigel Davies who sees the experienced front rower as one of the mainstays in the Gloucester side.

However, he can hold some room for optimism with the way in which Dan Murphy acquitted himself in Wood’s absence against an impressive Northampton Saints front row as Wood watched from the sidelines.

Wood will now miss Aviva Premiership games against Newcastle, Bath, Exeter and Wasps as well as European ties against Perpignan and Munster and an LV= Cup meeting against Northampton.

He may return to action on the 16th November when Gloucester face Newcastle in the LV= Cup at Kingston Park.