Ulster’s Alan O’Connor receives three-week ban for high tackle

Secondrow Alan O’Connor will miss Ulster’s first two games of the European Champions Cup and their next Pro 12 encounter after receiving a three-match ban for his high tackle in last weekend’s clash with Glasgow at Ravenhill.

The 22-year-old was cited under 10.4(e) for a high tackle on Glasgow centre Mark Bennett that left the player unconscious.

O'Connor appeared before an independent Pro12 disciplinary committee on Wednesday, chaired by Roger Morris of Wales.

Having viewed video footage of the tackle, the committee decided that the offence was at the mid-range of the IRB sanctions, which carries an entry level of a six-week sanction.

The committee decided that “in the absence of any aggravating factors and in light of several compelling mitigating factors, including the player’s exemplary previous playing record” to apply a three-week reduction to the entry level.

O’Connor will miss Saturday’s trip to play Leicester at Welford Road and the following week’s home match against double European champions Toulon.

He will also miss the home Pro12 game against the Dragons on November 1st. The player also has the right to appeal the decision.