Ireland To Appeal Flannery Suspension

Irish management have decided to appeal the six-week suspension handed down to Jerry Flannery for his lunge on France winger Alexis Palisson.

The Ireland camp are hoping to have the length of the ban reduced by an independent RBS 6 Nations appeals committee, which will take place next week. A cross appeal has been lodged by the Six Nations disciplinary officer, enabling the committee to increase the length of the suspension if deemed appropriate. Flannery pleaded guilty at the original hearing held in Dublin last week.

The Munster hooker admitted he had deserved a red card for bringing down Palisson in the 33-10 defeat in Paris on February 13, with the France back subsequently limping out of the game with a dead leg.

The disciplinary panel found Flannery had been reckless but not deliberate in his actions and decided the offence was mid-range in its severity. Flannery’s plea and the sorrow he showed for Palisson’s injury persuaded the panel to rein the suspension back from a potential eight weeks.
However, it still ended his Six Nations and Ireland believe it should be reduced given the act was, in the words of head coach Declan Kidney, ‘awkward rather than deliberate’.

Daniel "Pitchside" Pitcher Twitter: @DanFM104Sport About: Dan "Pitchside" Pitcher provides insight and commentary as the chief soccer and rugby correspondent for Sportspeak.