Connacht's Abraham Papali’i has been suspended for four weeks after receiving his third red card of the season during the Rainbow Cup clash against Benetton last weekend.
Papali’i was sent off by referee Gianluca Gnecchi under Law 9.13 – a player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously - after the Kiwi caught an opponent high with his shoulder.
Having previously been hit with a five-week ban in November for a red card offence, Connacht boss Andy Friend said in midweek that the back row would have to change his tackle technique to have a future in the game.
It was ruled at a disciplinary hearing that the incident in question was reckless rather than intentional, and that a mid-range offence had occurred, which carries a six-week ban.
"In applying the off-field considerations of aggravation and mitigation, the player’s recent disciplinary record was seriously considered as an aggravating factor," read a PRO14 statement.
"However, in the player’s responses, not only did he display a frank and honest recognition of his offending but also a serious commitment and determination to addressing it in practical terms so that no additional suspension was imposed.
"In considering mitigation, the judicial officer found that, apart from a clean record, all mitigating features were present including the player’s early and full admission, spontaneous apology to his opponent and his engagement with the process.
"As a consequence, the period of suspension was reduced by two weeks instead of three. The player has been banned for a period of four weeks."
