O'Kelly suspended for two weeks over Vickery stamp

RUGBY:Michael Cheika's plans for Leinster's vital Heineken Cup Pool Two clash with Edinburgh on Sunday have been dealt a further blow after Malcolm O'Kelly was suspended for two weeks for his stamp on Wasps prop Phil Vickery last weekend.

An independent disciplinary committee met in Dublin this afternoon after citing commissioner Aurel Morgan cited the Ireland international following the game at Twickenham.

The committee, chaired by Rod McKenzie (Scotland) and also comprising Jean-Etienne Bernard (France) and Robert Williams (Wales), found that O'Kelly was guilty of foul play in that he had stamped on Vickery in contravention of Law 10.4 (b).

After considering the evidence, they determined that intentional foul play had not been established but that O’Kelly's actions had been dangerous and that offence was at the low-end of the level of seriousness for stamping.

O’Kelly was banned for two weeks, up to and including Wednesday February 4th, meaning he will be available to play in Ireland’s Six Nations opener against France at Croke Park on February 7th. He has the right to appeal the decision.

Cheika is likely to bring in Devin Toner to accompany Trevor Hogan in the secondrow against Edinburgh after also losing Leo Cullen to a shoulder injury.

With CJ van der Linde ruled out and Stan Wright struggling to overcome a neck injury, Leinster may have to make four changes to the tight five that started at Twickenham last Saturday.

Meanwhile, Dax lock Mickael Bert will miss his side’s European Challenge Cup Pool 1 clash against Connacht tomorrow night after receiving a three-week ban for striking.

The incident took place during the French side’s game against London Irish at the Madejski Stadium on December 11th when Bert was accused of striking Exiles hooker James Buckland.

The independent Disciplinary Committee, chaired by Rod McKenzie (Scotland) and also comprising Robert Williams (Wales) and George Spotswood (Ireland), found that Bert was guilty of foul play in that he did strike Buckland in contravention of Law 10.4 (a).

After considering the evidence available, the independent disciplinary committee determined that the offence was of the mid-range of the level of seriousness for punching and he was suspended until February 11th.

Cardiff Blues wing Tom James has received a two-week ban after he was sent off during his team’s Heineken Cup victory over Gloucester last weekend.

The Wales international was red-carded after 27 minutes by Irish referee Alan Lewis for butting Gloucester’s French hooker Olivier Azam.

Despite his dismissal, the Blues beat Gloucester 16-12 to secure a place in this season’s quarter-finals.

An independent disciplinary committee decided that James’ offence was at the low-end level of seriousness for a strike with the head.

James’ suspension is until February 1st, meaning the only game he misses is the Blues’ final European pool game against Arms Park visitors Calvisano tomorrow night.