Tom Wood Handed Lengthy Ban After Red Card In Champions Cup Play-Off

Northampton flanker Tom Wood has been suspended for six weeks following an independent Disciplinary Hearing in London today.

Wood was sent off by referee John Lacey in Northampton’s play-off final win over Stade Francais last Friday, for stamping on fullback Djibril Camara in the 63rd minute of the match in contravention of Law 10.4 (b).

An independent Disciplinary Committee heard submissions from Wood, who pleaded guilty to the offence, from the Northampton Saints legal representative, Richard Smith QC, and from the EPCR Disciplinary Officer, Liam McTiernan.

The Committee upheld the red card decision and found that Wood’s stamp resulted in reckless contact with Camara’s head. The Committee then decided that the offence was at the top end of World Rugby’s sanctions and selected 12 weeks as the appropriate entry point.

Taking into account Wood’s guilty plea, expression of remorse and good disciplinary record, the Committee reduced the sanction by the maximum of 50 per cent before imposing a six-week suspension. Wood’s period of suspension will include England’s tour of Argentina and Northampton Saints’ warm-up matches in advance of the 2017/18 season. He is therefore free to play on Monday, 28 August.