Munster's Alex Nankivell set to find out disciplinary fate on Wednesday
Alex Nankivell of Munster, right, leaves the pitch as he is shown a red card by referee Craig Evans. Pic: Tyler Miller/Sportsfile
Munster centre Alex Nakivell is set to find out his fate on Wednesday after Munster appealed his 25th-minute red card in Saturday's 30-24 win over Connacht at MacHale Park.
Following a TMO review, Nankivell was shown a red card by Welsh referee Craig Evans for "foul play covered by Law 9.20a – A player must not charge into a ruck or maul. Charging includes any contact made without binding onto another player in the ruck or maul".
“He’s got a clear line of sight, comes from distance, right arm is tucked and never looking to make a legal wrap, I’m not seeing any sudden and significant drop in height from the ball carrier and he [Prendergast] is knocked out on the floor," Evans said in converation with his fellow officials at the time of the incident.
“I don’t think I can bring this down [from a red card].”
The 28-year-old will face an Independent Disciplinary Panel - consisting of John Kirk (Scotland), Stefan Terblanche and Neil Snellenburg (both South Africa) - on Wednesday to consider Munster's appeal to the sending off that saw Connacht's Cian Prendergast taken to hospital, only to be released on Sunday.
Munster travel to Stade Marcel Deflandre for their Champions Cup knock-out tie with Ronan O'Gara's La Rochelle, with hopes that the New Zealander, a key component of the province's defence and attack, will be cleared to play.
However, if the decision is upheld, the former Chiefs centre will miss the La Rochelle tie, and a number of important fixtures thereafter, as the URC reaches the business end.
Meanwhile, John Hodnett limped off with a thigh contusion during the Connacht clash and his availability will be determined later in the week.
The same goes for Peter O’Mahony missed the Connacht game and returned to training on Tuesday. The veteran's chances of facing La Rochelle will be "based on how he gets through the week’s training".
Having not featured at MacHale Park, even though the duo trained last week, winger Thaakir Abrahams and back-row Jack O'Donoghue are likely to be among the matchday 23 this weekend.
