RYAN Wilson, the Glasgow Warriors flanker, could face a lengthy spell on the sidelines if he is found guilty of grabbing a Northampton opponent’s testicles during the first half of Sunday’s European match between the teams. Wilson was cited yesterday by the match citing commissioner, Jeff Mark of Wales, and the hearing will take place tomorrow in London.
The offence is alleged to have been on Saints captain Lee Dickson, and to have occurred in the 25th minute of the game. Punishments for such behaviour start at an entry point of 12 weeks for a so-called low-end offence, then graduate to an 18-week entry point for a mid-range offence. At the extreme end, an offender can be banned for anything from 24 to 208 weeks.
Tim Swinson, the Warriors lock, has also been cited for punching an opponent in the same match. Swinson was yellow-carded towards the end of the game by the referee for the incident. The range of punishments in that case is from two weeks right up to 52 weeks, and that hearing will also take place tomorrow. No-one from Glasgow Warriors was available to comment on either case last night.
Viktor Kolelishvili of Clermont has also been cited for pushing referee Wayne Barnes out of the way in his team’s match against the Ospreys. Sanctions for that offence range from 24 weeks to life.
Meanwhile, Stuart Hogg, the Warriors full-back, has insisted that Scotland can challenge at the top of the table in the forthcoming Six Nations Championship. Asked if this could be Scotland’s year, Hogg said: “I believe so. There’s a lot of hard work to be done along the way, but the boys are up for that. Our focus is on winning the Six Nations.”
Vern Cotter, the Scotland coach, will this morning announce his squad for the build-up to this year’s tournament, which begins with a home game against England on 6 February.
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