Saracens scrum-half Aled Davies is given a three-week ban following his dangerous tackle on Leicester’s Julian Motoya in the Premiership final
- Aled Davies was only shown a yellow at the time during the Premiership final
- Scrum-half has been banned retrospectively for three weeks next season
- Many at the time were baffled as to how Wayne Barnes had not sent him off
- Ban could be reduced to two weeks should the player undertake World Rugby’s Coaching Intervention Programme
Saracens scrum-half Aled Davies has been banned for three weeks for his dangerous tackle on Leicester hooker Julian Montoya in the Gallagher Premiership final.
Davies hit Montoya high as his team were beaten 15-12 in an absorbing Twickenham clash. At the time, he was only shown a yellow card by the game’s referee Wayne Barnes.
Barnes found Davies had made direct contact with the head of Montoya, but believed there were mitigating factors for him doing so and therefore sent him to the sin bin.
Aled Davies has been banned for three weeks owing to his dangerous high-tackle in the final
Davies’ tackle caused a social media storm with many believing he should have been sent off.
The final’s citing officer and the RFU disciplinary agreed which is why Davies will now serve a three-match ban. Davies accepted the charge.
An RFU statement read: ‘The case of Saracens player Aled Davies was heard by on papers by sole judicial officer Matthew O’Grady.
‘Davies was cited for dangerous tackling contrary to World Rugby Law 9.13, for making direct contact to the head with his shoulder during the Premiership Final against Leicester Tigers. Davies accepted the charge.
![Davies was shown a yellow card though many believed he should have been issued a red at the time](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/06/22/11/59383979-0-image-a-2_1655894574703.jpg)
Davies was shown a yellow card though many believed he should have been issued a red at the time
‘Davies received a three-week ban which would be reduced to two weeks if the player opts to take part in World Rugby’s Coaching Intervention Programme.
‘The games the player will miss will be updated once next season’s fixtures are confirmed.’
The fact Davies has been retrospectively banned and his tackle has been judged to have been worthy of a red even though he was shown yellow at the time will only fuel the debate over rugby’s inconsistency of decision making on high tackles.
![The shoulder of Davies connected Montoya (pictured) in the head, though the latter was able to celebrate as Leicester beat Saracens 15-12 in the Premiership final](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/06/22/11/59384009-0-image-a-4_1655894614993.jpg)
The shoulder of Davies connected Montoya (pictured) in the head, though the latter was able to celebrate as Leicester beat Saracens 15-12 in the Premiership final
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