Ospreys charged with misconduct
January 27 2010
The Ospreys will have a case of misconduct to answer before an ERC disciplinary committee on Friday, for fielding 16 men for a minute against Leicester.
Disciplinary Officer Roger O'Connor reviewed statements from the Ospreys, Leicester Tigers and the Match Officials and also reviewed footage of the incident.
Following his investigation the Disciplinary Officer has made Misconduct complaints against Ospreys full-back Lee Byrne and the Ospreys franchise.
The independent Disciplinary Committee appointed to hear the case in Dublin on Friday, 29 January, 2010, will be chaired by Pat Barriscale (Ireland), and also include Jean-Noel Couraud (France) and Mark McParland (Ireland).
Byrne had gone off with a bloodied toe, to be replaced by centre Sonny Parker, but Byrne then went back on without any team-mate leaving the field for almost a minute.
Wednesday's developments are potentially bad news for Wales coach Warren Gatland just ten days before his team's Six Nations opener against England at Twickenham.
Lions full-back Byrne has recently returned to fitness after missing the entire November Test series through injury.
But there is now the possibility he could be banned, while the Ospreys will be left sweating on a possible fine, or worse - a points deduction.
They booked a last-eight place as one of two best pool runners-up, finishing behind Clermont Auvergne, but two points above Leicester, who are adamant the Ospreys' transgression had a significant effect on the outcome of their game.
A misconduct charge carries notionally limitless sanctions - as Harlequins, Dean Richards and Tom Williams found out last year - so it might be fascinating to see what happens on Friday.
Meanwhile Biarritz lock Jerome Thion, who was due to appear before an independent Disciplinary Panel in Dublin on Thursday, has had his hearing adjourned until Tuesday.
The player has requested and been granted a delay due to members of Biarritz Olympique's management who were scheduled to attend the hearing not being available to travel. The hearing will now take place on Tuesday, 2 February, 2010.
The citing lodged by the Citing Commissioner for the match, John Byett (England), is for an alleged punch / strike on Glasgow lock Richie Gray (No 4) in contravention of Law 10.4 (a).