Ribes banned for four weeks

The red card was issued in the second half by referee George Clancy ( Ireland) for kicking an opponent, in contravention of Law 10.4 (c).

After considering the evidence, the independent Judicial Officer, Robert Williams (Wales), determined that Guillaume Ribes was guilty of foul play in contravention of Law 10.4 (c) in that he kicked an opponent.

The Judicial Officer found that it was in the low end in the level of seriousness for an offence of this type. Having taken into account any mitigating and aggravating factors the independent Judicial Officer suspended the player for a period of four (4) weeks running up to and including Sunday, 10 January, 2010.

Both parties have the right to appeal.

Under the IRB Recommended Sanctions for Offences Committed within the Playing Enclosure, Law 10.4 (c) - Kicking an Opponent, carries the following penalties:
Lower End: 4 weeks
Middle Range: 8 weeks
Top End: 12+ weeks
Maximum Sanction: 52 weeks
For a full list of IRB Recommended Sanctions please refer to ercrugby.com by following this link:
http://www.ercrugby.com/images/content/cupstandard/IRB_Sanctions.pdf