Ireland prop Furlong cited over alleged groin grab

This post was originally published on this site.

Ireland prop Furlong cited over alleged groin grab

ByAndy Gray

BBC Sport NI Journalist
  • Published

Ireland prop Tadhg Furlong has been cited over an alleged groin grab in Leinster’s United Rugby Championship win over Munster on Saturday.

Munster back row Gavin Coombes raised the allegation against an unnamed Leinster player with match referee Andrew Brace in the closing stages of the first half at the Aviva Stadium, but television match official (TMO) Colin Stanley could not find any video evidence at the time.

However, experienced front row Furlong has now been cited over an act of foul play under Law 9.27, which says a “a player must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship including but not limited to grabbing, twisting or squeezing the genitals”.

A statement from the URC said “arrangements for the disciplinary process are currently in progress and will be announced in due course”.

If found guilty of the offence, the 33-year-old would be in danger of missing Ireland’s Nations Championship matches with Argentina, Fiji and South Africa in Dublin, as well as the finals weekend in London.

In October 2025, South Africa front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels received a nine-match suspension for grabbing Josh Murphy’s genitals in the Bulls’ URC win over Connacht.

For that incident, Wessels was handed a 12-week suspension – the shortest ban under World Rugby rules for such an offence – that was reduced by three weeks due to his “good conduct prior to and at the hearing and good record”.

If similar action was taken against Furlong, he would potentially miss Leinster’s Investec Champions Cup Pool match with Sale, as well as the festive inter-provincial derbies with Ulster and Munster.

Speaking after the 24-18 defeat at the Aviva Stadium, Munster head coach Clayton McMillan said he would “back our players 100% that if they make an allegation like that”.

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen said he did not see the incident, which occurred in the 37th minute when Munster were leading, but acknowledged it was a “serious matter”.

More on this story

Hot this week

Star Trek actor Walter Koenig, who played Pavel Chekov, dies aged 90

He played the eager Russian crewman in the original Star Trek series and later appeared in Babylon 5.

Lula wins fourth term in dramatic Brazil election comeback

The left-wing incumbent president had lost the first round to right-wing challenger Flávio Bolsonaro.

England-Republic of Ireland U15 World Cup game ends over alleged racism

The Under-15 World Cup Group C match between England and Republic of Ireland is abandoned after England allege an opposition player made a racist comment.

Kane prematurely announced as Ballon d’Or winner – but he wasn’t only one

Harry Kane's dream of winning the Ballon d'Or seemed as if it had come true on Monday when the organisers released an article claiming he had won the award.

Topics

Star Trek actor Walter Koenig, who played Pavel Chekov, dies aged 90

He played the eager Russian crewman in the original Star Trek series and later appeared in Babylon 5.

Lula wins fourth term in dramatic Brazil election comeback

The left-wing incumbent president had lost the first round to right-wing challenger Flávio Bolsonaro.

England-Republic of Ireland U15 World Cup game ends over alleged racism

The Under-15 World Cup Group C match between England and Republic of Ireland is abandoned after England allege an opposition player made a racist comment.

Kane prematurely announced as Ballon d’Or winner – but he wasn’t only one

Harry Kane's dream of winning the Ballon d'Or seemed as if it had come true on Monday when the organisers released an article claiming he had won the award.

John Cena Pays Subtle Tribute to Ex-WWE Rival on His 48th Birthday

John Cena seemingly paid a subtle tribute to his...

Tributes paid to man killed by falling tree in Storm Boelo

Richard Baines was the long-serving curator of Logan Botanic Garden near Stranraer.
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img