NIK SIMON: RFU made the best name by overturning Chris Ashton’s purple card however the archaic disciplinary system should still rob the Leicester winger of 1 closing farewell within the play-offs
- Chris Ashton was cleared for Leicester’s play-off semi-final towards Sale
- The winger had his purple card lowered to a yellow following a disciplinary listening to
- Nevertheless, uncertainty over his availability may imply he does not begin on Sunday
Few will begrudge Chris Ashton being cleared to battle one other day however the delay in reaching a choice might nicely rob him of his farewell alternative.
Leicester can have been getting ready their combos for the play-off towards Sale since Sunday morning so uncertainty all through the week may have value him his likelihood.
It’s a reflection of rugby’s slowmoving and archaic techniques, with the disciplinary listening to pushed again to accommodate the financial institution vacation and Wednesday night time’s Premiership awards. Ashton was invited to attend the black-tie dinner to choose up a particular award however he was pulled out to organize for a possible listening to.
In a hotly contested Leicester again three, the Premiership’s scoring sensation might nicely have been timed out of the operating to begin towards Sale on the AJ Bell Stadium. And he’ll little doubt be rolling his eyes on the course of.
One other week, another rescinded red card. Rugby’s referees are misplaced in a deep gray space of uncertainty round participant security. Excessive tackles are dividing opinion each weekend.
Chris Ashton has been cleared for Leicester’s Premiership play-off semi-final towards Sale
The Leicester winger had his purple card lowered to a yellow following a disciplinary listening to
The consensus was that Ashton’s sending off was harsh, so many will really feel that justice has been served.
It will have been a sorry finish for his profession to be decided by a disciplinary listening to and plainly even Cadan Murley, who was on the receiving finish of the excessive sort out, agreed.
In a shocking twist, Thursday night time’s RFU report revealed that Murley has defended the former England star in a five-hour hearing.
The assertion stated: ‘The panel additionally had the good thing about listening to from Mr Murley. Having seen and heard all of the proof, together with that of Mr Murley, who gave a transparent account as to the purpose of contact and the extent of pressure concerned within the sort out, the panel agreed with the submission that this was a yellow card offence.’
Ashton, greater than anybody, will likely be crossing his fingers that Leicester beat Sale and progress to the Premiership closing. On the age of 36, his physique is nearly holding collectively for one closing farewell.
The winger has been one of many league’s nice entertainers over time, turning into the primary and solely participant to attain 100 tries, dominating spotlight reels along with his Ash Splash celebration.
And it feels becoming that he has the prospect to log out with a second of magic on the pitch, moderately than being marched out by the disciplinary whip.
