Why Ringrose ban included Leinster's URC game

On Monday, the Six Nations published the written reasons for Ireland centre Garry Ringrose's three-match suspension.

Ringrose was handed a three-game ban following his red card against Wales for a high tackle on Ben Thomas.

Ringrose's ban came after the mid-range entry point of a six week/match suspension was reduced by 50% taking into account his guilty plea and previous disciplinary record.

He will miss Saturday's Six Nations match against France. A further game will be taken off should Ringrose complete World Rugby's Coaching Intervention Programme.

Significantly, Ringrose's suspension included Leinster's United Rugby Championship win over Cardiff on Saturday, so if he completes the coaching intervention programme, he will be available for Ireland's final Six Nations game against Italy on 15 March.

The Leinster game being included in the ban has caused some confusion. Earlier in the tournament, France fly-half Romain Ntamack was handed a two-game ban following his red card against Wales.

Ntamack's suspension, however, covered France's Six Nations fixtures against England and Italy, but not Toulouse's Top 14 encounter with Clermont, which took place during a Six Nations fallow week (like Leinster's game with Cardiff).

Over the weekend, French Rugby Federation (FFR) vice-president Jean-Marc Lhermet said they are seeking an explanation around the differences between Ringrose and Ntamack's cases.

The written report on Ringrose's online disciplinary hearing explains that Ireland interim head coach Simon Easterby said the decision had already been taken to release Ringrose back to Leinster for the Cardiff game.

That was, according to Easterby, because Ireland have "three world-class centres" in their squad (Ringrose, Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw) and thus Ringrose's game time in the Six Nations this year has been "limited".

Interestingly, part of the reason for releasing Ringrose back to Leinster was "to allow him the chance to play in a different position in order that Ireland can consider using [Ringrose] on the wing as well as in the centre".

The written report confirms the independent disciplinary committee was shown an e-mail sent by the Irish Rugby Football Union [IRFU] to Leinster on 24 February confirming Ringrose was included in a list of Ireland players released back to the province.

Ireland beat Wales on 22 February, so the e-mail was sent in between Ringrose being sent off and his disciplinary hearing on 27 February.

Considering all of the above, the committee was "satisfied" that Ringrose "had been expected to play at least some part" in Leinster's Cardiff game.