Lee Byrne will be available for Wales’ Six Nations opener against England this weekend after successfully appealing on Tuesday against a two-week ban.
The fullback was suspended last Friday after admitting a misconduct charge for briefly appearing as an illegal 16th man after coming back on without the referee’s permission during Ospreys 17-12 European Cup victory against Leicester on Jan. 23.
In common with most rugby union suspensions, Byrne’s ensuing ban until Feb. 12 ruled him out of all competitions.
It also led Wales coach Warren Gatland to delay his team announcement for Saturday’s match against England at Twickenham, but an all Scottish three-man appeal hearing in Glasgow on Tuesday found the original decision had been in error and altered Byrne’s punishment to a 5,000 euros (US$7,000) fine.
A ruling, announced almost four hours after Byrne’s hearing began, by tournament organizers European Rugby Cup (ERC) said: “The independent appeal committee ... found Mr Byrne had demonstrated the original decision had been in error and the sanction should be varied to a fine of 5,000 euros. Mr Byrne is free to play again.”
Roger Lewis, chief executive of the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU), who helped Byrne prepare his appeal, said: “I am delighted that the independent appeal committee have reached this decision, which is great news for Lee Byrne and for Wales. It has been an extremely difficult time for the player ... It has not been an easy decision either for the original independent committee hearing the evidence or the appeal panel and I applaud them all on their diligence in this matter.”
“I hope this sends out a message to the followers of Welsh rugby — the WRU is an organization which will always stand by individuals who deserve and need our help,” Lewis said.
Leicester, whose defeat meant they were knocked out of Europe, lodged an official complaint with the ERC after Byrne went back on following his departure because of a bloodied toe.
Sonny Parker replaced him three minutes earlier and Ospreys briefly had 16 players on the field until flyhalf Dan Biggar went off.
In the corresponding Six Nations fixture at Twickenham two years ago, it was Byrne’s try that led to a Wales revival and a 26-19 victory. It was Wales’ first win at Twickenham in 20 years and the first game of what turned out to be a Grand Slam season.
Now Byrne is set to start at fullback, Gatland is free to field James Hook in midfield alongside Jamie Roberts, as Wales chase a fourth straight win against England.
Gifted playmaker Hook was drafted in at fullback during Wales’ November home program when Byrne was injured, but the move was not a success.
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