Rugby rules revised by High Court decision

THE Rugby Football Union have revised their disciplinary appeals procedure thanks to former Welsh international Mark Jones.

Ebbw Vale No 8 Jones prompted legal history last month when a High Court judge lifted his 30-day suspension after he was sent off for fighting against Swansea earlier this season.

Mrs Justice Ebsworth ruled that the Welsh Rugby Union ban was unfair and that Jones should be allowed to carry on playing until his appeal was heard.

Now, in a letter to member clubs, RFU secretary Tony Hallett says "As a result of the recent court decision we feel it prudent to reverse our rule so that a player may play while an appeal is pending.

Jones' case was the first time that a judge had intervened in the decision of a sporting body, and she urged WRU officials to reconsider his suspension without the need for an expensive High Court trial.

Jones won 14 caps before joining rugby league club Hull, moving to Warrington then Vale after the clubs agreed a £25,000 transfer fee.