Henry Walker suspended for three weeks

Gloucester Rugby hooker, Henry Walker, has been suspended for three weeks following an independent Disciplinary Hearing arising from the Cherry & Whites' Heineken Champions Cup, Round 2 match against Leinster Rugby at the RDS Arena.

Walker was cited by the match Citing Commissioner, Paul Minto (Scotland), for a dangerous tackle on the Leinster Rugby flanker, Josh van der Flier, in the 37th minute of the match in contravention of Law 9.13.

Law 9.13 A player must not tackle an opponent dangerously 
Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 9.13 relating to dangerous tackling carries the following sanction entry points - Low End: 2 weeks; Mid-range: 6 weeks; Top end: 10 to 52 weeks.

As Walker had accepted the charge, an independent Judicial Officer, Roddy Macleod, considered the matter on written submissions, he determined that the offending was at the mid-range of World Rugby’s sanctions and six weeks was selected as the appropriate entry point.

Due to the player’s clear disciplinary record and his guilty plea, it was decided to grant him the full 50% mitigation and the Judicial Officer therefore reduced the sanction by three weeks before imposing a three-week suspension.

Walker is free to play on Monday, 9 January 2023, however, if he applies for and successfully completes a World Rugby Coaching Intervention, he will be free to play on Monday, 2 January 2023.