Quinlan Hit With Three-Week Suspension

Ireland flanker Alan Quinlan will miss Saturday’s GUINNESS Series 2008 Test match against Argentina after Wednesday’s IRB disciplinary hearing in Dublin found him guilty of stamping and served him with a three-week suspension.

Alan Quinlan was cited for a stamp on Rodney So’oialo during Ireland’s clash with the All Blacks at Croke Park last Saturday.

The Munster back rower was cautioned at the time by referee Mark Lawrence, but having reviewed the incident, match citing officer Peter Larter felt further disciplinary action may be necessary.

Unfortunately for Quinlan and both Munster and Ireland, the IRB disciplinary panel decided that the offence should have been punished with a red card and the 34-year-old has now been banned for three weeks.

The IRB’s judicial officer for the match, Professor Lorne Crerar of Scotland, deemed ‘the player’s act of stamping in contravention of Law 10.4(b) (a player must not stamp or trample on an opponent) and should have merited a red card.’

The suspension means Quinlan, who has the right to appeal the decision, will not be available to play until Sunday, December 7.

That means he will miss the Argentina game and Munster’s upcoming Magners League encounter with the Scarlets (on November 28).

However, he will be available for the province’s back-to-back Heineken Cup clashes with Clermont Auvergne (on December 7 and 13).

Meanwhile, New Zealand prop Tony Woodcock has been cleared of a striking charge from the same game last weekend.

Woodcock, who has his hearing before Quinlan’s, was sin-binned for a second half punch on Ireland’s Rory Best.

He admitted foul play and escaped further punishment, making him available to face Wales in Cardiff this weekend, fitness permitting.