Rugby: Scotland stars back Nick De Luca ban appeal

De Luca is sidelined until May 26 after being found guilty of tip tackling Tom Grabham four minutes from the end of Edinburgh’s 24-7 defeat at Ospreys last Friday. However, support was mustering today with ex-Scotland and Lions centre Craig Chalmers using Twitter to express his disgust at perceived inconsistency in sentencing.

“Saw it. It’s ludicrous. Feel  for Nick, That’s his season gone.

“He must appeal and refer to other bans that have been given,” said Chalmers whose appeal for consistency of punishment was being widely echoed on social media.

Scotland’s most capped scrum half Mike Blair, now retired from Tests but turning out for Brive, referred to the three-week ban imposed on Wales’s captain at the last World Cup, saying: “Warburton three weeks for spear tackle and De Luca 13 weeks for same offence. Another example of inconsistency...”

Blair quickly clarified: “I’m certainly not defending De Luca’s tackle, I’m challenging the inconsistency of the bans for similar offences.”

Blair and Chris Cusiter may have been rivals for the Scotland scrum half shirt for almost a decade but the pair found common ground on the issue.

Cusiter tweeted: “Agree wholeheartely Michael. No logic in sight.”

While Edinburgh Rugby have still to respond their former captain Simon Cross said: “How frustrating is that for a coach?!

You can accept poor decisions, but lack of consistency across the board is a killer.”