Hayes ban cut to five weeks on appeal

JOHN HAYES last night had his suspension for stamping on Cian Healy in the Leinster-Munster Magners League match reduced from six weeks to five. This was in recognition of “the (disciplinary) record of the player”, according to an IRFU statement, in reference to a 12-year professional career in which Hayes had never been red-carded or suspended.

However, Hayes and his representatives at the appeal hearing in the IRFU offices will be entitled to feel disappointed, given the committee, chaired by Billy Glynn and assisted by Leo Galvin and George Spotswood, rejected the first part of the appeal.

Hayes’ solicitor, Donal Spring, had contended that the high level (nine weeks) entry point of the suspension was wrong on the grounds that Hayes’ act was not deliberate. Even though the original disciplinary committee and last night’s appeals committee accepted Hayes had not stamped on Healy deliberately, they maintained his suspension fell under the high level category.

The reduction has no material effect on Hayes’ absence from the game, for although he can now return after Saturday, November 7th, that is a rest week in the Magners League.

Meanwhile, Leinster openside Shane Jennings will appear before an independent disciplinary hearing in Dublin today as a result of a citing arising from an incident in the Heineken Cup match against London Irish at the RDS.

The citing was lodged by the match citing commissioner, Richard McGhee of Scotland, for alleged contact with the eye/eye area of London Irish player Nick Kennedy in contravention of Law 10.4 (l). The independent judicial officer appointed for the hearing is Roger Morris of Wales.

However, Leinster will be more than hopeful that Jennings will not be suspended given the comments of London Irish captain Bob Casey in his diary for The Irish Times on Monday, in which he stated: “I spoke to Nick Kennedy after the match about the incident involving himself and Shane Jennings and he admitted he had overreacted.”

Of more pressing concern for Leinster as they ready themselves for something of a win-or-bust trek to Brive on Saturday (4.45pm local time, 3.45pm Irish) is an injury scare for Leo Cullen. The Leinster captain landed awkwardly in training on Monday during lineout practice and injured his ankle, which remains badly swollen. Malcolm O’Kelly partnered Nathan Hines in training yesterday.

Cullen must be a real concern, while Luke Fitzgerald has also been partnering Brian O’Driscoll in midfield due to Gordon D’Arcy’s facial wound, although this is not expected to rule him out of Saturday’s game.

Michael Cheika cannot begin to finalise his selection until the outcome of the Jennings hearing, and he also has a number of options from last Saturday’s bench.

After another week’s training CJ van der Linde is better primed for a run at some stage.

“CJ’s is the squad, which is a good sign in itself – he’s back on board with us,” said the assistant/defensive coach Kurt McQuilkin. “But he’d probably need a bit of wind in the sails to start it off, but he’s there as an option, which is good to see. He’s had a pretty torrid time of it and he’s looking forward to it.”

With Stanley Wright ruled out with a muscle strain in his chest, Leinster have added Stephen Keogh, Ronan McCormack, Devin Toner, Girvan Dempsey, Chris Keane and Fergus McFadden to the 22 who were on duty against the Exiles in an expanded squad.

By all accounts, Leinster would like the game to be today, as McQuilkin admitted: “We’re flying. Actually we finished off with a session today and the boys are rarin’. If they could play it tomorrow they’d play. Especially after the weekend, so no, they’re raring to go.”