Dragons RFC centre Sio Tomkinson has been suspended for three weeks (games) following a disciplinary hearing into his red card in the BKT United Rugby Championship Round 16 game against Ospreys on Saturday March 25.
After an act of foul play against Ospreys player No 10 (Jack Walsh), referee Jaco Peyper showed Tomkinson a red card in the 43rd minute of the game under Law 9.13 – A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously. Dangerous tackling includes, but is not limited to, tackling or attempting to tackle an opponent above the line of the shoulders even if the tackle starts below the line of the shoulders.
In the player’s responses to the Judicial Officer overseeing the disciplinary process (Tommy Dalton (Ireland)), he had accepted that he had committed an act of foul play which warranted a red card. Mr.Dalton found that the incident met the red card threshold and the actions of the player were reckless and not deliberate. He determined the appropriate entry point to be mid-range warranting six weeks.
The Player received three weeks mitigation due to his good record, remorse and acceptance which results in a three game suspension.
Should Tomkinson complete the World Rugby Coaching Intervention Programme then the sanction will be reduced by one week.
Fixtures Sio Tomkinson is unavailable for:
- Glasgow Warriors v Dragons RFC, 1 April 2023 EPCR Challenge Cup
- *EPCR Challenge Cup Quarter Final, 8 April 2023
- Ulster v Dragons RFC, 14 April 2023 BKT URC
*In the event Dragons RFC do not win the match against Glasgow Warriors on 1 April 2023 the third fixture of suspension will be Dragons RFC v Scarlets, 22 April 2023 BKT URC
