Alex Cuthbert: Ospreys' Wales wing banned over Racing 92 tackle but could face Ireland
- Published
Alex Cuthbert made his Wales debut against Australia in 2011
Ospreys wing Alex Cuthbert has been banned for a high tackle against Racing 92 - but he will be available for Wales' Six Nations opener in Ireland if he completes a World Rugby course.
Cuthbert was sin-binned for the tackle, on hooker Teddy Baubigny, in the Heineken Champions Cup last Saturday.
Cuthbert, 31, has been given a three-week ban which runs until 7 February.
However, he will be free to return to action on 31 January if he applies for a "World Rugby coaching intervention".
Wales begin their defence of the Six Nations title in Ireland on 5 February.
An independent disciplinary committee heard evidence and submissions from Cuthbert, Ospreys team manager Dai Davies and European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) disciplinary officer Liam McTiernan.
The committee found that Cuthbert had "carried out a dangerous tackle and had made contact with Baubigny's head and neck area".
"It then determined that the offence was at the mid-range of World Rugby's sanctions and six weeks was selected as the appropriate entry point," a statement issued by EPCR said.
"On the basis that the player accepted that he had committed an act of foul play and had a clear disciplinary record, it was decided to grant the full 50% mitigation and the committee therefore reduced the sanction by three weeks before imposing a three-week suspension.
"Cuthbert is free to play on Monday, 7 February, however, if he applies for a World Rugby coaching intervention, he will be free to play on Monday, 31 January."
Ospreys were beaten 25-10 by Racing 92.
Cuthbert returned to Wales duty in their 2021 autumn internationals after joining Ospreys from Exeter, where he was ineligible for his country because of Wales' 60-cap rule for exiled players. Cuthbert has 48 caps.
On Tuesday, he was included in Wayne Pivac's Wales squad for the forthcoming 2022 Six Nations.
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