Leinster are certainly not taking Cian Healy’s two-week ban lying down.
The prop was cited earlier this week for a knee to the head of Toulon’ Guilhem Guirado which meant that he would miss the home tie against the reigning champions this weekend and the December 27 clash with Munster at Thomond Park.
Cian Healy sent to the bin for Leinster. Harsh or fair? #ERCC
Follow: https://t.co/9bRG9ohWyy
https://t.co/qMJMfsLVnz— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) December 13, 2015
But Leinster revealed via a statement on Thursday evening that they would appeal the suspension as they feel that it was “a failure to follow due process and is unfair to Cian Healy.”
Read the full statement below.
Leinster Rugby have informed EPCR of their intention to appeal the decision of the independent Judicial Officer Roger Morris to suspend Leinster prop Cian Healy for two weeks under Law 10.4 (f).
The basis for the appeal will centre on the fact that Cian Healy was called to the independent Disciplinary Hearing in Paris today for allegedly striking RC Toulon hooker Guilhem Guirado in contravention of Law 10.4 (a).
Having heard submissions from both sides and the player himself who denied the charge, the Judicial Officer retired to consider the matter. On returning he informed those present that the charge under Law 10.4 (a) was not proven.
However he went on to find that Cian Healy had contravened Law 10.4 (f) which charge had not been put to the player by either the Judicial Officer or EPCR at any stage before or during the Disciplinary Hearing.
Leinster believe that this is a failure to follow due process and is unfair to Cian Healy
Leinster Rugby have further requested that the chairman of the Disciplinary Panel lift Cian Healy’s suspension pending the outcome of the appeal, which Leinster are confident will be successful.
