Lee Byrne to appeal his two week suspension

Welsh fullback Lee Byrne has been banned for two weeks for the part he played in the recent 16th man episode that took place when Ospreys hosted Leicester in the Heineken Cup.

I spoke about the incident briefly when posting highlights from the match a few fays ago. Today Ive got a short clip for those of you who’d like to see exactly what happened.

Byrne has since pleaded guilty to the charge of misconduct and will be out until February 13, the same day that Wales play Scotland in the Six Nations. He will however miss the opening match of the tournament, against England.

Ospreys themselves were fined 25,000, but werent docked any points, which may have resulted in Leicester going through rather than being knocked out of the tournament.

The panel found that Byrne had no effect on the result of the match, but that he should have known that he needed permission to return to the pitch.

“The committee found that this represented a clear breach of the substitution protocol, which forms part of the Heineken Cup 2009-10 tournament rules, and that the club could have done more to ensure that such a breach did not occur.

“However, the committee found that the breach had not been deliberate or premeditated on the part of the club’s management and that there had been no material effect on the match.”

Byrne will remain with the Wales squad and is set to appeal the decision. He wants to take part in the match against England.

“The player has been taking legal advice and will lodge the necessary documents for the appeal,” a Welsh Rugby Union statement said.

Time:

0:47