USA's Cork-born flanker John Quill will have to watch the rest of the 2019 Rugby World Cup pool stages from the sidelines, after receiving a three-week ban following his red card in the 45-7 defeat.
The former Munster academy player - who spoke to Off The Ball's Land of the Rising Scrum prior to the tournament - became the first player to be sent off at the 2019 World Cup, after a dangerous no-arms tackle on England's Owen Farrell, late on in the heavy defeat.
Quill appeared before an independent judicial committee this morning, and admitted he had committed an act contrary to Law 9.13 (dangerous tackle).
"Direct shoulder to the head. High danger. No mitigation"
ICYMI: Here's the incident that saw John Quill sent off for a reckless challenge on Owen Farrell earlier today.
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The Rugby United New York flanker was handed an initial six-week suspension; identical to that given to Australia's Reece Hodge earlier this week. However, just like Hodge, his ban was reduced to three weeks for his conduct at the hearing.
However, the 29 year old will now miss the remaining three pool games for Gary Gold's side, against France, Argentina and Tonga. The suspension will end at midnight on 13 October, after which time he is free to resume playing.
In determining the suspension, the committee deemed that:
- There was an act of foul play (which was reckless, rather than deliberate)
- The act of foul play was a shoulder charge
- There was contact with the head
- There was a high degree of danger; and
- There were not sufficient mitigating factors to reduce the sanction from a red card to a yellow card
England centre Piers Francis will also be sweating on his availability for the remaining pool matches. The Northampton Saint has been cited for an alleged dangerous tackle on the USA's Will Hooley, and will appear before a judicial committee in Tokyo later this week.
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