Paul Willemse slapped with four-week Test ban
Test rugby star, Paul Willemse was slapped with a four-week Test ban for ill-discipline during France’s Six Nations defeat to Ireland.
South African-born French lock Paul Willemse will miss their Six Nations matches against Scotland and Italy after he was suspended for four weeks for a red card in the defeat to Ireland.
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The tournament’s disciplinary committee imposed the punishment after Willemse received a yellow and then red card for high tackles in France’s 17-38 defeat in the opening Six Nations match in Marseille.
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Willemse, who won his 32nd Test cap, was shown a yellow card in the ninth minute for catching Ireland prop Andrew Porter in the face. That was followed by a shoulder-to-head tackle on Ireland loose forward Caelan Doris in the 32nd minute, which initially earned Willemse a second sin-binning.
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Although two yellow cards constitute a sending-off anyway, the ‘bunker review’ upgraded Willemse’s second yellow card to a full red. Even so, the disciplinary panel opted for leniency.
“The committee recognised that while both actions were reckless, there was no evidence to suggest that the player had acted maliciously or intentionally in either case,” the Six Nations explained in a statement.
“The committee also noted that the player had behaved admirably during the proceedings and had shown remorse for his actions.”
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WHAT NEXT FOR PAUL WILLEMSE? WHEN WILL HE RETURN?
The South African by birth, who missed the last two World Cup tournaments with injury, is due to return on March 2.
If Willemse serves his full term, Willemse will be suspended for France’s visit to Scotland on February 10 and the clash with Italy in Saint-Etienne on February 25.
He would also miss three of his French club Montpellier’s Top 14 matches between February 17 and March 2.
But he can reduce his ban by a week by applying to take part in World Rugby’s coaching programme designed to improve tackling technique. That would mean he could be available for Montpellier’s trip to Oyonnax on March 2.
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