TADHG FURLONG FACES DISCIPLINARY CASE OVER ALLEGED GENITAL GRAB

Ireland and Lions prop Tadhg Furlong has been cited over an allegation that he grabbed an opponent’s genitals during Leinster’s United Rugby Championship win over Munster. The alleged act occurred near the end of the first half of Saturday’s match at the Aviva Stadium. Munster back row Gavin Coombes reported the allegation against an unnamed Leinster player to referee Andrew Brace. The United Rugby Championship said Furlong’s citing followed an initial investigation into a possible breach of Law 9.27.

Television match official Colin Stanley could not find video evidence of the alleged act when Coombes raised it. Law 9.27 says “a player must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship including but not limited to grabbing, twisting or squeezing the genitals”. The United Rugby Championship has not announced a disciplinary finding against Furlong. It said: “Arrangements for the disciplinary process are currently in progress and will be announced in due course”.

Furlong could face a ban if the disciplinary process finds that he breached the law. Ireland are scheduled to play Argentina, Fiji and South Africa in Dublin in forthcoming Nations Championship fixtures. The competition’s finals weekend is scheduled for London. Leinster also have an Investec Champions Cup pool match against Sale before festive derbies against Ulster and Munster.