Keith Earls has been banned for two weeks following his red card in Munster's titanic victory over Glasgow on Saturday.
Earls justifiably received his marching orders following a dangerous tackle on Glasgow's Fraser Brown, though the former back row-turned-hooker did appear to borderline take flight mid-tackle in an attempt to leave the referee with little option.
You can check out the incident here:
Was Keith Earls hit on Frazer Brown worthy of a red?!...#MUNvGLA #ChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/X4OunO88TT
— Ruck Rugby🏉 (@RuckRugby) October 22, 2016
The fortnight's ban means that Earls will miss this weekend’s clash with Ulster at Ravenhill, while it also rules him out of the first test of the November series against the All Blacks in Chicago. However, when Ireland return for their three Autumn tests on home soil, Earls will once again be available for selection.
Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 10.4 (j), "Lifting a player from the ground and either dropping or driving that player’s head and/or upper body into the ground while the player’s feet are off the ground, carries the following sanction entry points – Low End: 4 weeks; Mid-Range: 8 weeks; Top End: 12 to 52 weeks."
Earls' offence was considered Low End, and his ban was reduced by two further weeks due to his timely guilty plea, expression of remorse at the incident, and clean disciplinary record prior to last Saturday.
The Munster outside back also has the option to appeal the decision, which in light of its relative leniency, likely won't be exercised.
