Six Nations: Brian O’Driscoll cited for stamping

By DUNCAN BECH
Published on 19/03/2013 00:00

Brian O’Driscoll has been cited for stamping on Simone Favaro in Ireland’s 22-15 RBS Six Nations defeat by Italy on Saturday.

A brief statement issued by tournament organisers last night confirmed that independent citing commissioner Aurwel Morgan has decided the incident warranted further scrutiny. The date and location for O’Driscoll’s hearing has yet to be announced.

O’Driscoll was sent to the sin-bin for only the second time in his 14-year professional career in the first half of the match at the Stadio Olimpico. The 34-year-old lifted his right leg and brought it down on to the chest of Favaro, the Italy openside. The act was out of character for O’Driscoll, who has a fine disciplinary record, and was evidence of his frustration as Ireland slumped to a first Six Nations defeat by Italy.

However, he was lucky to escape a red card for an incident that marred what is thought to have been the last of his 125 Test appearances in a green shirt. The recommended suspension for a low-end stamping offence is two weeks, the mid-range five weeks and top end nine weeks, up to a maximum of a year, although O’Driscoll’s previously good disciplinary record should count in his favour.

It will be hoped by his province Leinster that he is available for the Amlin Challenge Cup quarter-final against Wasps on 5 April and for as much of their RaboDirect Pro 12 title push as possible.

A Six Nations statement read: “Brian O’Driscoll has been cited by the independent citing commissioner for an alleged stamping or trampling on an opponent, contrary to Law 10.4 (b), in the RBS Six Nations match between Italy and Ireland. Details of the hearing will be announced later.”

Meanwhile, Wales’ Six Nations hero Justin Tipuric will gladly shun the spotlight and talk of Lions selection by returning to his roots this week.

Ospreys flanker Tipuric turned in a man-of-the-match display in Saturday’s record 30-3 victory over England at the Millennium Stadium, helping Wales retain their Six Nations title. The 23-year-old played a key part in both of Wales’ tries, scored by wing Alex Cuthbert, and his performance has catapulted him into most pundits’ British & Irish Lions Test line-ups for their first engagement against Australia in Brisbane at the end of June.

But the modest back-rower is paying little attention to the plaudits that have come his way. “There has been a lot of press about the Lions but it would be ridiculous to even think about it,” he said. “The biggest thing for me is to try and concentrate on playing well for the Ospreys and our main aim is to try and get in the RaboDirect Pro12 play-offs and anything can happen from there. If the Lions is meant to be then it is meant to be and that is how I see life in general.

“You just have to concentrate on the here and now, rather than what might happen then. You just have to stay grounded. You have to politely take the compliments but you can’t take anything for granted. You just want to be the best player you can be. I am not the finished article and just have to keep working hard.”

And far from wanting time to reflect on his superb display, Tipuric is desperate to be involved for his region when they face Newport Gwent Dragons in a Welsh derby on Friday night. He said: “I really enjoy playing for the Ospreys and they are a great bunch of boys. It is not going to be easy playing against the Dragons and they love playing against us. The likes of Toby Faletau and maybe Dan Lydiate will be back so it is never going to be easy.”