Michael Bent, come on down!
Leinster have decided not to appeal the three-week ban handed down to prop Jack McGrath by the Guinness PRO12’s independent disciplinary committee. McGrath received the sanction for a stamp on Ulster’s Rory Best on January 3.
The province made initial noises about challenging McGrath’s ban but had until 5pm this evening to lodge an official appeal. The deadline has now passed and Leinster confirmed they would accept the disciplinary panel’s decision.
A club statement reads: ‘After considering all the options and taken considerable advice, including legal, Leinster Rugby have this afternoon confirmed that they will not be appealing the decision.’
With Cian Healy out of Leinster’s Champions Cup clash against Castres, this weekend, and likely to miss the away trip to Wasps, Matt O’Connor looks set to start Michael Bent at loose-head.
Bent arrived in Ireland, in November 2012, as a tight-head prospect and was expected to push Mike Ross for national selection. He earned two caps but has fallen down Ireland’s pecking order and has primarily been used on the other side of the scrum by Leinster as Healy gradually returns from a hamstring injury.
