MALCOLM O’KELLY has been cleared of an alleged stamping by an IRFU disciplinary hearing which met in Ravenhill yesterday. O’Kelly, who was represented by former Irish rugby international Donal Spring, had been cited following an incident in Leinster’s Magners League win over the Ospreys when he trod on Andrew Bishop’s head but the committee, chaired by Hugh Logan who was assisted by Neil Jackson and Stephen Hilditch, found him not guilty.
O’Kelly was stepping backwards, didn’t raise his foot and didn’t appear to look downwards either, and according to an official statement, “having studied the match footage and heard all available evidence, the disciplinary committee ruled that on the balance of probability of the presented evidence that no sanction should be imposed on O’Kelly. The player is therefore free to continue playing.”
Paul Sackey has been ruled out of England’s Six Nations clash against France at Twickenham on Sunday. The Wasps wing was yesterday released back to his club, having been unable to train with England at their Surrey base.
Sackey is struggling with a lower calf muscle injury that forced him off during England’s 14-13 defeat to Ireland at Croke Park 10 days ago.
He is likely to be replaced in the starting line-up against France by Harlequins’ Ugo Monye or Sale Sharks back Mathew Tait.
Harlequins scrumhalf Danny Care, meanwhile, will be involved against France despite receiving widespread criticism following the yellow card he collected for a reckless charge on Ireland prop Marcus Horan in Dublin.
Wales scrumhalf Dwayne Peel has also been ruled out the remainder of the Championship due to a torn hamstring.
Peel will be replaced in the starting XV to face Italy in Rome on Saturday by Ospreys’ Mike Phillips, with London Irish scrumhalf Warren Fury providing cover on the bench.
Peel, who has only started one Test during the reign of Wales head coach Warren Gatland, suffered the injury playing for Sale Sharks against Premiership opponents Newcastle two days ago. He is expected to be out for a month.
