Craig Gilroy completes ban after World Rugby coaching intervention course

Craig Gilroy of Ulster Rugby had been cited for an incident that occurred in the United Rugby Championship Round 11 game against Scarlets on Friday, January 28.

The Citing Commissioner in charge had made a complaint about an act of foul play by Gilroy (No 14) against opponent Thomas Rogers (No 14).

The Player received a yellow card and had been cited 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.

A Disciplinary Panel considered all of the evidence available and concluded that Gilroy’s actions were reckless and thus warranted a Red Card.  The Panel considered that the Player’s previous record and behaviour during the process entitled him to mitigation. However, as the player did not accept that the act of foul play warranted a Red Card, the Panel determined that he was not entitled to full (50%) mitigation.

Subsequently the Player has successfully taken part in the World Rugby HPC Coaching Intervention process, where a Player can undergo a coaching session to modify their technique or behaviours. This process is overseen by an independent expert coaching review group, which has reduced the ban by a further week.

The Player is now free to play as of Sunday, March 6, 2022 and can be selected for Ulster Rugby's fixture with Leinster Rugby.