Not really our job as referees, but as stakeholders, that ugly word, in the game, we can admit that Regulation 17, at the Elite level, isn't fit for purpose, especially when it comes to mitigating factors.
Your standard Elite player turns up. Sits down. Doesn't swear. Says "guily". Says "I'm really sorry, and I'll try really hard not to do it again". Says "I'll undertake intensive coaching".
And despite there being video evidence clearly showing culpability - bang to rights, every jury would find him guilty - our Elite chum gets maximum discount, which will end up meaning a sanction of under 50%.
It seems clear that when a Discplinary Panel has a chance to send a signal about an offence that is an issue across the game - an explicit power in Regulation 17 - they have, once again, sent a soft signal.
Let's stop pretending that discipline is about actual discipline, or about player safety. It's about getting the product back out on the field as quickly as possible under the wrapping paper of "Look how seriously we're taking this". Coaching? What the fuck is he spending his time doing? The Times fucking crossword? How long has he been playing rugby? The need to not take heads off isn't new; this isn't the first time he's done this.
Maybe, if a player gets a week off his sanction for a week's coaching the corollary is that the appropriate coach at his club is suspended for doing such a shit job.