Disciplinary decision: Tevita Ratuva

Rob Lloyd News

Scarlets second row Tevita Ratuva has been suspended for three weeks following an independent disciplinary hearing in London arising from his club’s European Challenge Cup round two match against RC Toulon at Stade Félix Mayol.

Ratuva was sent off by the referee Tom Foley (England) in the 40th minute of the match for striking the RC Toulon second row Mamuka Gorgodze with his shoulder in contravention of Law 9.12.

An independent disciplinary committee consisting of David Martin (Ireland), Chair, Antony Davies (England) and Marcello d’Orey (Portugal), heard submissions and evidence from Ratuva, who accepted the red card decision, from the Scarlets team manager Sara Davies and from the EPCR disciplinary officer Liam McTiernan.

The committee upheld the red card decision finding that Ratuva had struck Gorgordze to the head with his shoulder in a reckless manner. It was decided that the offence was at the mid-range of World Rugby’s sanctions and six weeks was selected as the appropriate entry point.

There were no aggravating factors, and due to the player’s guilty plea, clear disciplinary record and timely expression of remorse, the committee reduced the sanction by the maximum of 50% before imposing a three-week suspension.

Ratuva is free to play on Monday, 16 December.