Umaga suspended for reckless challenge after shoulder hit throat

Wasps fly-half Jacob Umaga will miss the next three games because of the red card received against London Irish on Boxing Day.

Umaga was sent off for making a dangerous tackle on Ollie Hassell-Collins in the 76th minute of the 38-30 victory at the CBS Arena.

In the full disciplinary report, London Irish medic Brian O’Leary stated that Hassell-Collins described taking an impact to his throat, and when given a drink of water, reported pain when swallowing.

They were happy for him to continue playing, but after checking video footage, the independent match day doctor suggested that he be removed for a Head Injury Assessment (HIA).

“As there was no time for the HIA1 to be completed the HIA2 was undertaken post game which he failed and is now undergoing a graded return to play following the concussion guidelines,” explained O’Leary.

The Umaga tackle was viewed as reckless, not intentional, and was simply a poorly executed tackle with no intention of making contact with the opposition’s head.

It was viewed as Mid Range (6-week suspension) in terms of seriousness, but due to mitigating circumstances such as Umaga having a completely clean record, providing assistance with the hearing, being an upstanding community member and also apologising to Hassell-Collins, he was given a 50% reduction in sanction.

Therefore, he is suspended for 3 weeks.

The 23-year-old will miss Gallagher Premiership fixtures against Sale and Leicester and the Heineken Champions Cup clash with Toulouse on January 15.

Charlie Atkinson is likely to deputise at fly-half at the AJ Bell Stadium on New Year’s Day in his first appearance of the season following a knee injury.

You can watch the challenge in the highlights below