France seek explanation from World Rugby over controversial Garry Ringrose ban

"We were very surprised when we learned of the decision of SNRL"

Garry Ringrose received a red card against Wales last Saturday, for a head-contact tackle on Ben Thomas.

A potential six-game ban was halved due to his guilty plea, with another game taken off if he completes World Rugby's 'tackle school'.

Leinster's win over Cardiff yesterday was counted as part of the ban, meaning the centre is in line to return in the final week of the Six Nations against Italy.

However, there was controversy surrounding the punishment, as France's Romain Ntamack was not allowed to count a game against Clermont on February 16 as part of his ban after receiving a red card in his side's opening game of the Six Nations, also against Wales.

In light of this, French Rugby Federation vice-president Jean-Marc Lhermet revealed that they have sought clarification from World Rugby over what they perceive as an injustice.

Speaking with Midi Olympique, he said: "We were very surprised when we learned of the decision of SNRL (Six Nations Rugby Limited) concerning Garry Ringrose, in comparison with the terms of application of the sanction that had been imposed on Romain Ntamack" claimed FFR vice-president Jean-Marc Lhermet speaking to Midi Olympique.

"The two cases seemed very comparable to us. This is why we contacted World Rugby for a request for explanations. We need to be enlightened as to what could have motivated such a difference.

"What we see, looking back, is that Garry Ringrose never played for his province in these matches during the Six Nations Tournament.

"With the information at our disposal, nothing suggests that this would have been the case this time. That is why we have made a request for explanations."

It is understood that the difference in both punishments lies in the fact that the FFR and Top 14 clubs have an agreement which allows the national side to hold onto their best 20 best players during the Six Nations off weeks.

While Ringrose would never have featured against Cardiff, there is no such official agreement between the IRFU and the provinces.

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen gave his take on Ringrose's red, believing that it was just a yellow-card offence.

He said: "I’m looking at the red card, and I know there’s lot of commentary about it but in terms of mitigation, if you look where Garry’s knee is, pretty much on the ground when the contact is made, and there’s quite a late change from the ball-carrier.

"My understanding is there’s mitigation there, so that goes from red down to yellow. It’s still a penalty and yellow-card offence, so it’s still a foul, but I don’t think it’s a red-card offence."

He also pointed out the Jack Boyle, who featured off the bench against Wales, started in the win over Cardiff: "I’m not sure what contact has been made behind the scenes but like simplistically, Garry hasn’t played a huge amount during the Six Nations, has he?

"So he’s available for us this weekend. Just like Jack Boyle obviously played in the same game where Garry got banned, so Jack Boyle is playing in the game.

"If Garry gets off, he's available for selection for us this week so we’ve obviously got that choice."