Edinburgh and Scotland hooker lands five-match ban after Ulster incident - and why it wasn't more
Forward set to miss key matches after tackle on Izuchukwu
Edinburgh Rugby hooker Harri Morris has been slapped with a five-match ban for a tackle on Cormac Izuchukwu during last week’s defeat by Ulster.
Morris was given an on-field yellow card, which was upgraded to red after TMO review, after going underneath an airborne Izuchukwu with a dangerous tackle when chasing a kick in the 64th minute of Ulster’s 40-19 success at Hive against Edinburgh.
A disciplinary hearing was set up in the wake of the United Rugby Championship and it has been decided that Morris, a 24-year-old who has been capped once by Scotland, is now suspended for Edinburgh’s next five matches. His apology and remorse for the incident helped him avoid a heavier sanction.
A statement from the URC read: “The Disciplinary process related to Harri Morris Red Card in the rescheduled BKT United Rugby Championship Round 2 game against Ulster Rugby on Friday, March 13 has resulted in a five game suspension.
“After an act of foul play by Edinburgh Rugby player No 16 (Harri Morris), referee Federico Vedovelli showed the Player a Yellow Card in the 63rd minute of the game, which was upgraded to a Red Card following an off-field review. The Red Card was issued under Law 9.17 – A player must not tackle, charge, pull, push or grasp an opponent whose feet are off the ground.
“In the Player’s responses to the Judicial Officer overseeing the disciplinary process (Mr. Declan Goodwin), he had accepted that he had committed an act of foul play which warranted a Red Card. Mr. Goodwin found that the incident met the Red Card threshold, with entry of mid-range warranting eight weeks. The Player received three weeks mitigation due to his acceptance of the Red Card, apology and remorse and full engaged participation in the disciplinary process which results in a five game suspension.”
Morris is now unavailable for Edinburgh’s matches away to Lions on Saturday and Stormers next weekend, as well as the Champions Cup clash with Leinster in early April. If Edinburgh progress, he will also miss the quarter-final tie as well as a URC match at home to Zebre.
Morris would also have to sit out the URC game against Sharks on April 24 if they are eliminated from Europe by Leinster.
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