Johnny Williams: Scarlets and Wales centre given six-week ban for dangerous tackle
- Published
Johnny Williams has played seven times for Wales
European Challenge Cup: Scarlets v Edinburgh |
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Venue: Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli Date: Friday, 19 January Kick off: 20:00 GMT |
Coverage: Updates on BBC Radio Wales. Match report on the BBC Sport website and app. |
Scarlets' Wales centre Johnny Williams has been given a six-week ban after being sent off earlier this month for a dangerous tackle at Clermont.
Williams was shown a 26th-minute red card in their European Challenge Cup defeat after a head collision while attempting to tackle Julien Heriteau.
The 27-year-old Wales centre was initially given a 12-week ban.
His punishment was halved after the "timely acceptance of the charge and apology to Heriteau".
With Wales' 2024 Six Nations campaign taken into consideration, Williams' ban started when Scarlets lost to Edinburgh in the Challenge Cup on Friday, 19 January and is due to end on Monday, 4 March.
However, if Williams takes and completes World Rugby's tackle school, he can play from Monday, 26 February.
That would put him in contention to join Wales before they face France on Saturday, 10 March and Italy seven days later.
Williams, who was involved in the 2023 World Cup, has not been included in Wales' 2024 Six Nations squad.
"It is disappointing and costly news for us," said Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel.
"The sporadic nature of the next couple of weeks of games hurts Johnny and us as well.
"The incident itself was a high-speed collision and I don't think there was any malice or intent on his behalf.
"It is a high tackle and a head-to-head collision and he has apologised for it."
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