Scotland will be without banned duo Ross Ford and Jonny Gray for the remainder of the World Cup
Tuesday 13 October 2015 22:37, UK
Scotland forwards Ross Ford and Jonny Gray are set to miss the rest of the Rugby World Cup after they were handed three-week bans.
The duo were given the suspensions by World Rugby on Tuesday for a two-man tip-tackle which dumped flanker Jack Lam on his head during Saturday's 36-33 win over Samoa.
The Scots are to face Australia in the quarter-final at Twickenham on Sunday but will be without hooker Ford and second-row man Gray, both key members of the side, unless they decide to appeal.
The pair have 48 hours to challenge the ruling or face missing out on the rest of Scotland's campaign.
Ford and Gray denied committing an act of foul play but Judicial Officer Christopher Quinlan QC decided their actions merited a ban at a Tuesday hearing.
A spokesman for the Scotland team said they were "disappointed" by the decision, adding: "We will consider carefully the full written judgement before making a decision on any future action."
World Rugby's statement on the case said: "Tackles involving a player being lifted off the ground and tipped horizontally, and were then either forced or dropped to the ground, must be dealt with severely by match officials and all those involved in the disciplinary process.
"With respect to the sanction, the Judicial Officer deemed the act of foul play merited a low-end entry point, namely four weeks.
"The Judicial Officer added one week for aggravation due to the need to deter this type of dangerous foul play.
"However, taking into account mitigating factors including the players' conduct prior to and at the hearing, their expressions of regret, exemplary characters and excellent disciplinary records, the Judicial Officer reduced the suspension to a period of three weeks in respect of each player.
"In the context of Rugby World Cup, three weeks equates to three matches and therefore neither player will be available to play for the remainder of Rugby World Cup 2015.
"Any remaining sanction not applied in the tournament context will revert to weeks for the players' respective club fixtures."
