Scarlets' Ball cited over Ronan incident

Scarlets lock Jake Ball has been cited for the incident that hospitalised Munster flanker Niall Ronan during Sunday’s game at Musgrave Park.

Match day citing commissioner John West deemed the act contrary to IRB regulation 10.4 (k), which states: “Dangerous play in a scrum, ruck or maul. Players must not charge into a ruck or maul without binding onto a player in the ruck or maul.”

A disciplinary hearing for the Australian-born, but Welsh-qualified, 21-year-old will take place this week.

Ronan was removed from his position over the ruck by Ball’s frontal charge in the 34th minute of Munster’s 6-13 defeat. The Meath openside required prolonged attention on the field before being held overnight in Cork University Hospital.

Initial scans revealed no serious damage to his neck, head or shoulder with a Munster spokesman confirming the injury as bruising.

He will not be available for Glasgow’s visit to Thomond Park on Saturday. It is another setback for a player who had just returned to full fitness after a frustrating 2012 that saw him plagued by knee, hip and a recent groin problem.

Meanwhile, Yann Le Dore, the French official overseeing matters at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, felt there was not enough evidence to cite an Argentinian player despite several Irish players remonstrating with South African referee Jaco Peyper in the 64th minute when they indicated contact with the eye area of Peter O’Mahony.

Wales interim coach Rob Howley has condemned New Zealand hooker Andrew Hore for the incident that led to Bradley Davies’ early exit from the Millennium stadium on Saturday. The Welsh lock was also hospitalised.

“What Hore did has got no place on a rugby field, as far as I am concerned,” said Howley. “It was an absolute disgrace. He has been cited, and I am sure it won’t be taken too lightly.

“You don’t traditionally think the All Blacks want to do things like that. They are a good enough team not to so we were very surprised by the actions of the player. Bradley has severe concussion and cannot play this weekend. It was pretty obvious that something untoward had happened.”

Hore has been cited for the incident and will receive a hearing tomorrow. New Zealand coach Steve Hansen has already called up Chiefs hooker Hika Elliot into the squad in anticipation of any possible suspension.