Johnny Sexton has his say on Tadhg Furlong citing ahead of disciplinary hearing
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Citing.
Johnny Sexton has backed Tadhg Furlong’s character ahead of the Ireland and Leinster prop’s disciplinary hearing on Thursday, insisting he does not believe his former teammate would deliberately grab an opponent in the groin area.
Furlong was formally cited on Monday following an allegation made by Munster number eight Gavin Coombes during Saturday’s 24-18 defeat to Leinster at the Aviva Stadium.
The incident occurred in the 37th minute, with referee Andrew Brace and the TMO reviewing the allegation during the match but finding insufficient evidence to take action.
However, citing commissioner Peter Ferguson subsequently lodged a complaint under World Rugby Law 9.27, which covers acts contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship, including grabbing, twisting or squeezing an opponent’s genitals.
Speaking from Ireland camp on Tuesday, Sexton made it clear that he was standing by Furlong while acknowledging the ongoing disciplinary process.
“I’m not really sure in terms of the process. I wasn’t in too many disciplinary hearings myself, so I don’t know. But, look, Tadhg, all I can say really is he’s been training. He’s been training really well,” Sexton said.
“He started the season pretty well, and his body’s good, which is always a good thing with Tadhg. When his body’s good, he tends to play really well.
“In terms of the incident, I can’t say too much about it, obviously, because the disciplinary process is ongoing. But I know Tadhg as a person, first and foremost, and I don’t think that’s something he would have done.
“So I just have to, I suppose, back him in that regard, but we’ll see what happens with the disciplinary hearing.”
Furlong has remained in camp with Andy Farrell’s Ireland squad ahead of next month’s Nations Championship fixtures against Argentina, Fiji and South Africa.
His disciplinary hearing will take place via video conference on Thursday, with a suspension potentially ruling him out of some or all of Ireland’s November campaign if the allegation is upheld.
