Dan Sheehan handed hefty ban after illegal clear-out against Australia
Dan Sheehan has been given a four-match suspension following an illegal clear-out that went unpunished against Australia.
The Lions hooker made the challenge on Tom Lynagh during Saturday’s 22-12 loss to Joe Schmidt’s side and it initially went unnoticed by Georgian referee Nika Amashukeli.
However, the 26-year-old has now been retrospectively cited by World Rugby’s independent review committee.
Sheehan has received a four-match ban. Pic: INPHO/Dan Sheridan
They deemed Sheehan’s actions to be reckless, that contact was made with Lynagh’s head and ruled the action amounted to a high degree of danger without mitigation.
The sanction will be reduced to three games, subject to the Irish international successfully completing a coaching intervention course.
Replays showed that Sheehan’s elbow appeared to make contact with his opponent’s head.
Tom Lynagh was forced to go off for a HIA after the incident. Pic: Chris Hyde/Getty Images
Lynagh kicked a penalty moments after the incident but was then withdrawn for a head injury assessment (HIA) and did not return.
Sheehan, who was captaining the Lions at the time after skipper Maro Itoje failed a HIA, has accepted the sanction.
However, in his submissions, the player did not agree foul play occurred or that the offence warranted the citing.
However, the 26-year-old has now been retrospectively cited by World Rugby’s independent review committee. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Sheehan will be unavailable for Leinster’s pre-season clash with Cardiff on September 13 and the URC fixtures against South African sides the Stormers and the Sharks on September 26 and October 11 respectively.
If he serves the full four-match ban, the forward will also sit out his side’s URC clash with rivals Munster on October 18.
Last year’s derby was also held at GAA HQ, where over 80,000 spectators watched the home side earn a 26-12 victory.
Leinster have said that they will return to the RDS for the start of the 2026/27 season.
They will play most of their home games this season at the Aviva with some games designated for Croke Park.
Before the public sale of tickets for the Munster clash, there will be a window for current Leinster Rugby season ticket holders to upgrade their tickets.
This is the same process as would have applied to previous Munster games being hosted at the Aviva Stadium, rather than the RDS.
Once Leinster’s season ticket holders have had a window to access tickets, the remaining tickets will then go on sale to the public.
