Ciaran Parker - 5 Weeks for Head Contact

belladonna · Nov 1, 2023

Ciaran Parker gets 5 weeks for head contact. Isn't this almost the exact same situation as Owen Farrell before the RWC, where OF got 4 weeks?

The Judicial Officer found that the incident met the Red Card threshold, with a mid-range entry point warranting a six-week suspension. Although the player made a guilty plea and apologised to his opponent, his previous red card in January 2023 (also for head contact) meant the mitigation applied is limited to just one week and therefore he is suspended for five weeks. Having previously completed the World Rugby Coaching Intervention Programme he is not eligible to gain any further mitigation to his suspension.