He has covered 2nd row in the past. In our first match of the season he was 2nd row cover and JOC was the back row.

But he's probably not good second row cover

In the dragons game Swifty was out and Mick Kearney made the bench, but George was out injured as well. With a full compliment apart from Macca I'd be surprised to see Kearny make it. But he was pretty good in that match from what I hear when he came on.

Just to make it clear, I'm not saying TJ ahead of DG, I'm saying DG in the second row and TJ on the bench.

Gannon ??? He's the obvious next choice, Tj is not a second row

ummm, wrote: I'd imagine Kearney would be in case of emergency only at this stage of his development. At the start of the season TJ was second row cover, no reason why he shouldn't be now.

TJ isn't a 2nd row. Gannon will go to lock, that's if Browne is still out, and Kearney will cover the bench

At first glance I agreed with the touchjudge, but on viewing the replay Clerc didn't seem to be slipping at all. It was certainly ugly, but didn't think there was any malice involved and Clerc wasn't badly harmed so perhaps any punishment will be kept to a minimum.

I'm not sure of Eric's confidence level with Kearney, maybe he'll use him. Another option would be to start the same 4-8 as Saturday with Ray on for McCarthy and Anderson and Grace on the bench. That way any of George, TJ or even Grace could be used in the second row as a replacement.

If the punishment falls in the mid-range it will really put pressure on the squad especially Swifty since it will be nearly impossible to rest him while Macca is out.

ummm, wrote:
Macca is best off admitting the offence to get the punishment down. He has a good disciplinary record, and that with a guilty plea (and let's face it it was a dangerous tackle, we'd have been screaming for blood if it happened to us) could halve the punishment.

His hearing is Wednesday; if he got the low end he'd be back for Gloucester. As to his disciplinary record, wasn't he sent off for a headbutt against Leinster a few years ago and suspended for 3 or 4 weeks?

I'd imagine Kearney would be in case of emergency only at this stage of his development. At the start of the season TJ was second row cover, no reason why he shouldn't be now.

connachtexile wrote: Is Browne out injured? I'm just thinking of replacements if the worst happens. Will be on tether-hooks until we get a verdict.

My guess at this point for his replacement would be Mick Kearney.

Is Browne out injured? I'm just thinking of replacements if the worst happens. Will be on tether-hooks until we get a verdict.

This is a good place to check out, IMF www.ercrugby.com/eng/news/disciplinary_news.php

It's the hearing judgements for HEC games, it can be quite useful in explaining decisions.

The fact that he was carded won't matter, the citing is because the citing officer thinks it should have been a red.

Massive blow if we lose him for 6 weeks, we've a great chance for 3 wins out of the next 4 games, even 4 out of 4 if you wanted to be wildly optimistic.

I hope the fact that he was given a yellow card reduces any possible suspension just in terms of the double blow - how many challanges are never picked up by the officials in the match? but have never really understood the suspensions they hand out they all seem so disporportionate to one another.

It was intresting listening to the touchjudge on the tv it seemed like he was trying to dissuade the ref from a red suggesting to him that Clerc was slipping in to it.

On a side point would Declan Kidney have had anything to do with Macca playing at 6 do you think? Just seemed so odd that Eric would make that call, it felt that we never got out of the traps on Saturday and making that switch really did not help our cause. Ray could have started the game (didn't seem like anything wrong with him in my amateur eyes) and Macca could have made the switch to 6 at h/t? I'm probably well off the mark but just didnt add up.

Was expecting that. I'm hoping for low end, but wouldn't be surprised with mid range.

Macca is best off admitting the offence to get the punishment down. He has a good disciplinary record, and that with a guilty plea (and let's face it it was a dangerous tackle, we'd have been screaming for blood if it happened to us) could halve the punishment.

Could still lose him for three to four weeks, though. Not great for a position we have little cover in.

ERC have released this statement this evening. It's in relation to the tackle on Clerc that he was sin binned for. Hearing this Wednesday. (Sorry if it doesn't deserve it's own thread).

I guess I'm right in thinking that any ban would be for more than just Heineken Cup?



MIKE MCCARTHY CITING
21-11-2011
Issued by Mark Jones

ERC has received a Citing Complaint following Round 2 of the 2011/12 Heineken Cup. The Citing Complaint is against Mike McCarthy (No 6) – Connacht Rugby (v Toulouse on Saturday, 19 November 2011).

The complaint was made by Citing Commisioner, Bruce Reece-Russel (England). McCarthy is alleged to have carried out a dangerous tackle on the Toulouse wing, Vincent Clerc (No 14), during the first half of the game at the Sportsground in contravention of Law 10.4(e) for which he received a yellow card from referee, Greg Garner (England).

Roger Morris (Wales) has been appointed as the independent Judicial Officer to hear this matter and the hearing will take place at ERC offices in Dublin on Wednesday, 23 November 2011.

Law 10.4(e) – Dangerous tackling of an opponent including a tackle or an attempted tackle above the line of the shoulders even if the tackle starts below the line of the shoulders

Under the IRB Recommended Sanctions for Offences Committed within the Playing Enclosure, Law 10.4(e) carries the following penalties: Low End: 2 weeks; Mid Range: 6 weeks; Top End: 10+ to 52 weeks.