Tadhg Furlong cleared of groin grab, free to face Springboks in November

Ireland can now pick Tadhg Furlong for their November Tests, including the home match against South Africa. An independent disciplinary committee has thrown out the allegation that the Leinster prop grabbed Munster back row Gavin Coombes in the groin during a URC match.

The hearing took place on Thursday 29 October. The committee agreed unanimously that the citing complaint should be dismissed because Furlong had not committed foul play under Law 9.27. The panel was Simon Thomas of Wales, South African Attie Heyns and Pamela Woodman of Scotland.

What happened at the Aviva Stadium

The incident came during Leinster's 24-18 win over Munster at the Aviva Stadium. Coombes told referee Andrew Brace about it in the first half. Brace asked the TMO, Colin Stanley, to look at it, but Stanley could not find conclusive video evidence.

Furlong was cited afterwards, as RuckBee Daily reported when the citing against the Leinster prop was announced. The charge came under the section of Law 9 that bans acts against the spirit of good sportsmanship. That section specifically covers grabbing, twisting or squeezing the genitals.

The committee did not blame Coombes for raising the matter. Although it dismissed the complaint, it found that the Munster forward had given an honest account of what he remembered, and that the citing had been properly brought.

Ireland's November schedule

With no sanction against him, Furlong is available for Ireland in the Nations Championship this November. The 33-year-old has toured three times with the British and Irish Lions. Ireland play Argentina, Fiji and South Africa at home before a finals weekend fixture at Twickenham's Allianz Stadium.