9:55pm, 17 October 2018

Toulouse No 8, Jerome Kaino, has been suspended following an independent Disciplinary Hearing in Paris today arising from his club’s Heineken Champions Cup, Round 1 match against Bath Rugby at the Recreation Ground.

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Kaino was cited by the match Citing Commissioner, Eugene Ryan (Ireland), for striking the Bath Rugby centre, Jamie Roberts, with his shoulder in the 39th minute of the match in contravention of Law 9.12: Striking with the shoulder.

An independent Disciplinary Committee consisting of Sam Hillas (England), Chair, Marcello d’Orey (Portugal) and Tony Wheat (England), heard evidence and submissions from Kaino, who pleaded not guilty to the offence, from Toulouse coach, Régis Sonnes, and from the EPCR Disciplinary Officer, Liam McTiernan.

The Committee upheld the citing complaint as it determined that Kaino had committed an act of foul play that warranted a red card.

"I think that's a fair tackle." Jerome Kaino received a yellow for this challenge. Harsh? pic.twitter.com/RWTHBekf3G — Watch the Heineken Champions Cup on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) October 13, 2018

On the basis that the incident involved contact to the head, the Committee was obliged under World Rugby regulations to find that the offence was at least at the mid-range of the sanctions and six weeks was selected as the appropriate entry point.

In the absence of a guilty plea, but in consideration of the player’s good conduct at the hearing, the Committee decided to reduce the sanction by one week before imposing a five-week suspension.

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Kaino is free to play on Monday, 3 December. Both he and EPCR have the right to appeal the decision.