Four match ban for Lions hooker Dan Sheehan

Irish Examiner

3 days ago

Dan Sheehan has been handed a four match ban after he was cited for dangerous play during the British and Irish Lions third Test against Australia on Saturday in Sydney.
The Leinster and Ireland hooker appeared to make contact with the Wallabies fly-half Tom Lynagh's head as he drove into a ruck in the first half.
The incident was not picked up live by the match officials with Sheehan continuing to play although Lynagh was forced off due to a head injury.
Independent citing commissioner Adrien Menez spotted the incident and citied the Irish international.
Following the independent disciplinary process on Monday morning, Sheehan has been suspended for four matches, under Law 9.20(a) charging into a ruck, and may be reduced to three should he successfully complete the coaching intervention programme.
The Independent Foul Play Review Committee (FPRC) was chaired by Wang Shao-Ing (Singapore) and joined by former player Mike Mika (New Zealand) and former match official Valeriu Toma (Romania).
In determining foul play the Committee found Sheehan's actions to be reckless and that he had made head contact with the Australian player with actions that amounted to a high degree of danger and that no mitigation applied.
Based on the evidence the Committee decided the offence warranted the mandatory mid range entry point of six matches. The Committee decided not to award the full 50% mitigation as Sheehan did not accept there was foul play which resulted in a final sanction of four matches (which may be reduced following completion of the coaching intervention).
Sheehan will be suspended for the following matches:
13 September 2025: Leinster vs Cardiff (pre-season)
26 September 2025: Leinster vs Stormers (URC)
11 October 2025: Leinster vs Sharks (URC)
18 October 2025: Leinster vs Munster (URC)*
* The Player will be available to play in this match subject to successful completion of the coaching intervention.