Ryan calls for disciplinary shake-up
Bristol coach Dean Ryan is to press for extra powers to be granted to Rugby Football Union disciplinary panels after England lock Garath Archer received an early Christmas present in Coventry last night.
Archer was appealing against the two yellow cards, and subsequent sending off, he received from Manchester referee Nigel Yates during last month's Premiership defeat at Northampton.
After considering the evidence, the panel decided that the sending off was sufficient. But Ryan believes that the panel are limited in the action that they can take, especially if they consider a player has been harshly treated.
"The panel indicated they felt that one, if not both, of the yellow cards were unwarranted," Ryan said. "However, they have no way of erasing that fact, should they wish, from Garath's record.
"As a club, we will be asking the RFU how instances like this can be allowed to remain on a player's record. We are highlighting the problem before any further similar cases arise."
