Pat Lam formally charged with misconduct by Pro 12

Connacht coach Pat Lam has been charged with misconduct by Jon Davis, the disciplinary officer of Pro12 Rugby, in relation to comments he made following last Friday night's 18-17 defeat to the Cardiff Blues at the Arms Park.

Lam was unhappy with the intervention of assistant referee Leighton Hodges in injury time at the end of the match in directing referee Lloyd Linton to award the Blues a penalty for hands in a ruck by a Connacht player in what was effectively the last play of the match and from which, the home side managed subsequently, to score a converted try.

The Connacht coach in a post-match interview spoke about having a previous issue with Hodges for a remark the official is alleged to have made prior to a Pro12 game against Edinburgh. The Irish province confirmed on Monday that they made a formal, specific complaint to independent referee match commissioner, Ed Morrison in the wake of the Edinburgh match.

Davis, in his role as disciplinary officer, has written to Lam outlining the misconduct charge and will await a formal reply. Once that is received Davis will decide what further investigation is required ahead of the hearing that will take place next week – Celtic Rugby is keen to bring a resolution to the issue as quickly as possible – to be heard by an independent disciplinary committee.

The statement read: “Pat Lam, the Connacht Head Coach, has been formally charged with misconduct by the Disciplinary Officer of PRO12 Rugby following comments he made to the media following the Guinness PRO12 match against Cardiff Blues in Cardiff on Friday evening, March 6th, 2015.

“Pat Lam will be required to attend a disciplinary hearing, before an independent PRO12 Rugby Disciplinary Committee, at a date yet to be determined.”