ULSTER SECOND ROW Alan O’Connor will miss out on the province’s opening Champions Cup fixtures over the next fortnight after incurring a three match ban today.
O’Connor was cited under Law. 10.4 (e), which relates to dangerous and high tackles, for a 59th minute incident during Saturday’s Pro12 win over Glasgow that left centre Mark Bennett unconscious.
Today’s statement from the independent disciplinary committee – made up of Dr Barry O’Driscoll, Rhian Williams and chaired by Roger Morris (both Wales) – commented that Bennett’s injury had been taken into account in the ruling.
The panel found O’Connor’s offence to in the mid-range of sanctions and imposed levelled the punishment of a six-week ban at the 23-year-old. The ban was then halved with consideration for O’Connor’s clean disciplinary record.
The lock will be free to play again on November 3, but given the Pro12 is due a November break, only an international call-up would see him take the field before Ulster’s home fixture against the Ospreys on November 21.
Glasgow coach Gregor Townsend confirmed on Saturday night that Bennett had fully recovered after the full-time whistle in Belfast.
