Ireland’s Donnacha Ryan is banned for three weeks for stamping
Ireland lock Donnacha Ryan was handed out a three-week ban after he was found guilty of stamping on a Samoan player during Ireland’s 20-10 victory over the Pacific Island team on Saturday 13 November.
The Munster lock was given a lenient suspension due to his exemplary record at international and club level.
Ryan will miss Ireland’s remaining two matches in the Autumn Internationals Series. Ireland plays against the All Blacks on Saturday 20 November and against Argentina the following week on Sunday 28 November.
Ryan was expected to be included as a substitute in Ireland coach Declan Kidney’s 22-man team to face the All Blacks. The player was also in contention to start the match with Argentina.
The forward is expected to be replaced by Devon Toner and the Leinster lock could now feature from the bench, to replace Mick O’Driscoll or Donnacha O’Callaghan.
Ryan received the ban after he came on as a substitute to replace Toner in the 69th minute in the Test match with Samoa.
The player was handed down a mid-range punishment in London by an Independent Six Nations Disciplinary Commission.
The commission was chaired by Welshman Roger Morris and assessed by committee members Simon Thomas of Wales and Achille Reali of Italy.
Ryan can still appeal the decision, and if the Irish management and the player choose to do so, Ryan could still feature in the Autumn Internationals.
However, it is likely that Ryan will accept the decision, which was considered lenient for a stamping offence.
The forward is expected to return to Munster and prepare for the Irish province’s Heineken Cup game against the Ospreys on Sunday 12 December.
Ryan will miss Munster’s Magners League clash with the Cardiff Blues on Saturday 4 December, but will be keen to reclaim his place in the team after his ban.
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