James Ryan: Ireland’s second-row has been suspended for three weeks after a red card was upheld

James Ryan has been banned for three weeks following his red card during the Ireland match 13-24 An independent disciplinary committee upheld the defeat to South Africa at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

Second-row Ryan’s yellow card for a high tackle on Malcolm Marks in the early stages of the loss to the Springboks has been upgraded to a 20-minute red card.

The independent panel decided that by applying World Rugby’s sanctions provisions, a medium-term entry point of six weeks was appropriate.

This was reduced to three weeks, however, in light of Ryan accepting a red card, his clean record and other mitigating factors.

The penalty could be reduced to two weeks if Ryan completes World Rugby’s training intervention program as an alternative to the final week of his suspension.

This option is intended to modify specific technologies and technical issues that contributed to an error.

Currently, Ryan has been ruled out of Leinster’s United Rugby Championship match against the Dragons this weekend and Investec Champions Cup matches at home to Harlequins on December 6 and away to Leicester Tigers on December 12.