Flannery Appeal Turned Down

The appeal lodged by Ireland hooker Jerry Flannery against the extent of his six-week sanction for kicking an opponent in the RBS 6 Nations match between France and Ireland has been dismissed.

An independent Six Nations appeal committee, chaired by HH Judge Jeff Blackett (England), sitting alongside Douglas Hunter (Scotland) and Marco Cordelli (Italy), met today at a London hotel.

They considered the submissions made by and on behalf of Ireland Jerry Flannery, together with the cross-appeal made by the Six Nations Disciplinary Officer, which was also dismissed.

The appeal committee upheld the original disciplinary committee’s finding that the act of foul play was in the mid-range of offending defined by IRB Regulation 17 and that the level of net mitigation applied was within the correct margin of appreciation.

Flannery will miss the remainder of Ireland’s RBS 6 Nations campaign – the home games against Wales and Scotland.

His six-week ban expires on March 29, meaning he will be available for Munster’s Magners League clash with Leinster (April 2) and their Heineken Cup quarter-final against Northampton Saints (April 10).