Stormers lock Adre Smith has been suspended for eight weeks following a foul play incident involving Munster hooker Niall Scannell in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship clash between the sides last weekend.

Smith was found guilty of an act of foul play in his side’s United Rugby Championship defeat by Munster at Thomond Park last Saturday night.

Smith had been cited after allegations of biting Scannell in the 46th minute of the match at Thomond Park after Munster captain Peter O’Mahony brought the incident to the attention of match referee Andrew Brace.

Although no evidence of any wrongdoing could be proven after recourse to the TMO and video replays, Smith was subsequently cited and faced a disciplinary hearing on Thursday via video conference.

As indicated by the Munster head coach Johann van Graan after the game, Scannell was examined by the head of their medical team, and that is understood to have been submitted to the match commissioner.

The full statement by the URC read:

“The player received a citing complaint under Law 9.12 – A player must not physically or verbally abuse anyone. Physical abuse includes, but is not limited to, biting, punching, contact with the eye or eye area, striking with any part of the arm (including stiff-arm tackles), shoulder, head or knee(s), stamping, trampling, tripping or kicking.

“The Disciplinary Panel, comprising of Sheriff Kathrine Mackie, Iain Leslie (both Scotland) and Janet Gedrych (Wales) concluded that there was an act of foul play which merited a low range entry point. The player’s previous record and behaviour during the process were considered and mitigation of 30 per cent was applied.

“As a result, the player has been banned for a period of eight games. He is free to play from midnight on Sunday, February 13th, 2022. The player was reminded of his right to appeal.”

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