Tom James has been suspended for three weeks following an independent Disciplinary Hearing.
The scrum-half was cited following Northampton Saints’ Investec Champions Cup clash against RC Toulon last Friday at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens.
James was alleged to have struck the RC Toulon scrum half, Ben White, with his head in the 70th minute of the match in contravention of Law 9.12.
An independent Disciplinary Committee comprising Pamela Woodman (Scotland), Chair, Marcello D’Orey (Portugal) and Gordon Black (Ireland) studied video imagery of the incident and heard evidence from James who accepted that he had committed an act of foul play that warranted a red card.
The committee upheld the citing complaint, finding that James had struck White with his head. It then determined that the offending was at the low end of World Rugby’s sanctions and six weeks was selected as the appropriate entry point.
Due to his timely acceptance of the charge and his clear disciplinary record, the committee decided to reduce the sanction by the maximum of 50% before imposing a three-week suspension, he will be free to play on Monday, 8 January 2024.
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