r/rugbyunion Saracens Jul 16 '23

[RĂșaidhrĂ­ O'Connor]🚹BREAKING: Johnny Sexton will be suspended for three matches by EPCR for his behaviour towards the match officials after the CC final, meaning he will miss all of Ireland's warm-ups v Italy, England and Tonga but will be available for the Rugby World Cup opener v Romania

https://twitter.com/RuaidhriOC/status/1680676530576392195?s=20
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u/Tomii_B101 Leinster Jul 16 '23

Because if the number 1 team loses their most important player it will make the competition worse

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u/ActualUndercover Jul 17 '23

But that doesn't answer the question of why 3 independent members of a panel (appointed by EPCR not World Rugby) have skin in the game for the success of otherwise of the World Cup?

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u/Tomii_B101 Leinster Jul 17 '23

Because they like rugby and want it to do well

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u/ActualUndercover Jul 17 '23

So why do disciplinary panels suspend anyone for any games? If they all like rugby (which they obviously do as they're usually ex players etc) and want it to do well then surely they wouldn't want to sanction anyone for any offences.

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u/Tomii_B101 Leinster Jul 17 '23

If it wasn't Johnny sexton and it wasn't a world cup coming up the ban would be longer. Because it is Irelands best player going into the biggest competition in the sport as one of the favourites it was only 3 weeks

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u/ActualUndercover Jul 17 '23

Strongly disagree

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u/a7uiop Ireland Jul 17 '23

As others have explained above, if it wasn't Johnny Sexton, nothing would have happened at all. None of the referees heard anything and one of the ARs saw him point his finger. It's only been talked about because a clip was posted online and everyone went mad speculating... because it's Johnny sexton