Leamy to discover fate tomorrow
Ireland flanker Denis Leamy will find out tomorrow if he faces punishment following an alleged stamping incident during the RBS 6 Nations Championship victory over Italy at the weekend.
The 24-year-old has been cited for his clash with Paul Griffin and will have a hearing in London which could see him miss out against France at the Stade de France on Saturday if found guilty.
Brian O’Driscoll, who was tipped to be cited after Italian coach Pierre Berbizier accused him of stamping, is set to skipper Ireland at the weekend as match commissioner Rob Flockhart did not include such an event in his report.
Italy, who were beaten 26-16, were angered by the alleged stamp by O’Driscoll on hooker Fabio Ongaro, but the Ireland skipper insisted he was only clearing out a ruck.
Although O’Driscoll was seen making contact with Ongaro, the 27-year-old insisted he had not acted illegally, and said after the game: “Italy were trying to slow our ball down.
“Rucking is part of the game these days and as far I’m concerned that’s exactly what I was doing.”
Meanwhile, Flockhart will take additional time to decide whether there is a case against an Italian player for an alleged biting incident on Simon Easterby. The identity of the Italian player has not been made public.
New International Rugby Board regulations allows Flockhart time to gather additional information. With Italy playing England this Saturday, Six Nations disciplinary authorities could make a decision within the next 48 hours.
