Lions hooker banned for four matches after ‘reckless' and illegal hit on Lynagh

The Age

4 hours ago

British and Irish Lions hooker Dan Sheehan has been banned for four matches for his illegal hit on Wallabies five-eighth Tom Lynagh, reduced to three upon successful completion of 'coaching intervention' according to World Rugby, who released a disciplinary update on Monday evening.
Sheehan escaped any on-field punishment from referee Nika Amashukeli or TMO Marius Jonker after elbowing Wallabies five-eighth Lynagh in the head during the third Test in Sydney while the Australian player was prone at a ruck.
The Independent Foul Play Review Committee (FPRC) that reviewed the incident was chaired by Wang Shao-Ing (Singapore), former international player, Mike Mika (New Zealand), and former match official, Valeriu Toma (Romania).
The FPRC determined that Sheehan's actions were contrary to Law 9.20(a) (charging into a ruck or maul) and noted the Irish international 'had not accepted that foul play occurred and did not accept that the offence warranted the citing.'
The committee also found Sheehan's actions 'reckless' and stated 'his action amounted to a high degree of danger and that no mitigation applied'.
Lynagh was forced from the field after 33 minutes for an HIA which he ultimately failed, after Sheehan had charged at the prone playmaker at a ruck. Lynagh is now at risk of missing out on the Wallabies upcoming Tests in South Africa in the Rugby Championship.
Sheehan tucked a shoulder to clean Lynagh out, and then made contact with the playmaker's head with his elbow after approaching the ruck from a distance.
The young playmaker endured physical treatment from the Lions, also getting taken out in the air by English breakaway Tom Curry in the first Test in Brisbane.
Sheehan will now miss up to four games for his club Leinster, including three in the United Rugby Championship, although that will be reduced by one if the hooker completes coaching intervention.