England Lock Joe Launchbury Handed Ban For Kicking Opponent In Fiji Game
Latest posts by Will Matthews (see all)
- Rassie Erasmus hits back following Ian Foster comments on Ireland vs Springboks - October 1, 2023
- Ireland confirm remarkable update on prop Cian Healy - September 30, 2023
- All Blacks boss Ian Foster makes bizarre Ireland vs Springboks comments - September 30, 2023
England lock Joe Launchbury has been banned for two weeks for kicking an opponent during his side’s victory over Fiji.
The ban will rule him out of England’s remaining autumn internationals. The incident occurred when Launchbury tried to kick the ball away at the base of a ruck but made contact with Fiji centre Asaeli Tikoirotuma.
The ban rules him out of England’s Tests against Argentina and Australia. Launchbury accepted the act, missed by the officials, warranted a red card.
The kick was deemed reckless rather than intentional by an independent disciplinary committee, resulting in what would have been a four-week suspension.
However, this was reduced to two weeks because of mitigating factors, including the Wasps forward’s guilty plea, his previous clean record and good conduct at the hearing.
