McGuigan suspended after that MMA scuffle against Saracens

Sale Sharks’ Byron McGuigan has been suspended following the red card he received against Saracens last Sunday.

The winger appeared before an independent disciplinary panel last night (Tuesday 30 November 2021).

He was shown a red card by referee Tom Foley in the 46th minute of the match between Saracens and Sale Sharks on Sunday 28 November 2021. This was for reckless or dangerous play contrary to World Rugby Law 9.11.

McGuigan accepted the charge and was given a three week suspension by the independent disciplinary panel comprising Samantha Hillas QC (chair) with Mitch Read and Tony Wheat. He is free to play again on 27 December 2021.

UK ONLY (or see it in the highlights down below):

It’s gone from bad to worst for Sale! 😬

Byron McGuigan is shown a straight red after a shocking body slam-type challenge on Nick Tompkins 🟥#GallagherPrem pic.twitter.com/CI7BSdZHQp

— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) November 28, 2021

Sale director of rugby Alex Sanderson admitted that McGuigan let his frustration boil over, leading to his sending off.

“Byron trains at UFC on his time off so maybe he just had a flash-back of some sort of ultimate fighting session he’s done. I haven’t spoken to him,” Sanderson said.

“He’s a great lad, one of the hardest workers. The emotion, the occasion, the fact we hadn’t scored – I was feeling that too – probably got the better of him.”

McGuigan misses the following matches:

12 December 2021: European Champions Cup – Ospreys v Sale Sharks
18 December 2021: European Champions Cup – Sale Sharks v ASM Clermont Auvergne
26 December 2021: Gallagher Premiership Rugby – Newcastle Falcons v Sale Sharks