Ulster's Andy Warwick given three-week ban after citing

Ulster prop Andy Warwick has been suspended for three weeks after being cited for a dangerous tackle in Sunday's Champions Cup loss to Sale.

The loosehead escaped punishment at the time having made contact with the head of Manu Tuilagi in the 33rd minute of the 39-0 defeat, with referee Mathieu Raynal deciding there was no foul play after checking with his TMO.

However, an independent disciplinary committee has decided the tackle was worthy of a red card, and deemed it to be a mid-range offence, which carries an entry level suspension of six weeks.

As the player has a good disciplinary record, and as he admitted that he had committed an act of foul play, it was decided to grant him the full 50% mitigation and the committee therefore reduced the sanction by three weeks before imposing a three-week suspension.

Warwick's suspension could also be reduced to two weeks if he completes World Rugby Coaching Intervention, which would see him available to return against Munster on New Year's Day.

The 31-year-old is set to miss Saturday's Champions up visit of La Rochelle, as well as Ulster's Interpro meeting with Connacht on 23 December.

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