Relief for Tyrone Holmes as he gets one-game ban

Tyrone Holmes: Red card in Wales. Picture: SNS

Coach Gregor Townsend had vented his anger after the Scotland flanker was controversially dismissed for careless footwork on rival Rhys Thomas during the bonus-point triumph over the Dragons at Newport.

And though the all-Irish jury ruled the sending off was valid, they only handed Holmes a  one-match ban.

It means he will miss tomorrow’s clash with Connacht at Scotstoun and will be back in Townsend’s selection mix for the match against Treviso in Italy a week on Sunday.

Townsend had claimed the offence did not merit a yellow card and insisted referee Dave Wilkinson had been in no position to make a proper judgement because the video replay feed to the stadium screen was not working.

“The official issued his verdict purely on the say-so of his TV colleague Tim Hayes. He said: “The fact the referee couldn’t watch the incident on the big screen was frustrating and I don’t believe Tyrone deserved to be sent off.

“Even a yellow card would have been harsh.

“It is the first red card we’ve had in four years and we pride ourselves on our discipline.

“We strongly believe that Tyrone’s actions to remove a player who was holding his jersey did not warrant a red card.

“The response from the players when reduced to 14 men was outstanding. Their decision-making and accuracy gave us a platform to get the win and then a bonus point.”

A Pro12 spokesman said: “The disciplinary committee, comprising chairman Mark McParland, Philip Orr and David Hurley, upheld the red card and categorised the offence as low-end in the range of the IRB’s sanctions.

“They carry an entry point of a two-week suspension.

“However, in imposing a suspension of one week, they took into account the lack of aggravating factors and the various mitigating factors, including the player’s apology to his opponent and his previous disciplinary record.”

Townsend will today reveal his line up to go into battle with Connacht.