The independent Disciplinary Committee, chaired by Pat Barriscale (Ireland) and also comprising Mark McParland (Ireland) and Jean-Noel Couraud (France), found that Mr Byrne had re-entered the pitch without the referee's permission and that he knew or ought to have known that he needed that permission. The committee suspended Mr Byrne from playing rugby for a period of two (2) weeks, up to and including Friday, 12 February, 2010.

The Independent Appeal Committee will be chaired by Rod McKenzie (Scotland) and also comprise Professor Lorne Crerar (Scotland) and Bill Dunlop (Scotland).

For media planning purposes please note that the hearing will start at 5.00pm.

Independent Appeal Committee
a) Following a decision of an independent Disciplinary Hearing, both the Club/player and ERC have the right to appeal the decision of the Judicial Officer.
b) The initial independent Disciplinary Hearings are determined by an independent Judicial Officer. Appeal Hearings are determined by a three man independent Appeal Committee.
c) The independent Appeal Committee is chosen by the Chairman of the independent Disciplinary Panel, Professor Lorne Crerar.
d) The independent Judicial Officer who issued the decision being challenged may not sit on the independent Appeal Committee.
e) The full written decision of the Appeal Hearing will be made available on ercrugby.com/disciplinenews at a later date when the full written decisions for the Appeal hearing have been completed and issued to all parties.