James Haskell gets his suspension extended – Rugby News Update
James Haskell, the 27-year-old No.8 England player has been given an extension in his suspension by a week, making it four-weeks in total.
The Highlander flanker was given a three-week suspension for punching Cheetahs flanker Justin Downey during a match of the Super Rugby League. He got off by receiving a yellow card but justice has been done.
"Because Haskell had a previous disciplinary matter, I find I am not able to give him the maximum discount as previously allowed," Heron said. "The comments regarding the impressive record are modified to that extent only. The discount for his guilty plea,
remorse and the record as now corrected, is a period of two weeks.”
Mike Heron, the SANZAR duty judicial officer had initially given him a three-week suspension due to his guilty plea and having no previous record of misdemeanour. When handing out the verdict he had said, "To recognise and acknowledge the immediate guilty
plea, his impressive record and the sincere remorse shown I am prepared to reduce the sanction by a period of three weeks, resulting in an ultimate sanction of three weeks."
However, it was brought to his attention that Haskell had acted similarly while playing for the London Wasps in 2008, receiving a one-week suspension at the time.
The England No.8 is a mercurial talent, having represented England at Saxons, Sevens, U21, U19 and U18 levels, before earning his first full international cap against Wales at the Millennium Stadium in March 2007.
He started his senior career as an 18-year-old for the London Wasps, penning his first senior contract with the Club in 2005. His breakthrough season came in 2006-07, when he played regularly for the Wasps’ team, making 25 appearances across three competitions,
and this led to his international reckoning.
He did not play the 2007 Rugby World Cup but he amends in the Six Nations Grand Slam the following year. He moved to Stade Francais in 2009 to play in France’s Top 14.
His current suspension ends on Saturday 26 May 2012, and this has led to his inclusion in the squad announced by Stuart Lancaster, the head coach of England, for the tour of South Africa.
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