Muir was cited for allegedly making contact with the eye of the Leinster flanker, Josh Van der Flier, in the 14th minute of the match in contravention of Law 9.12. The complaint was made by the match Citing Commissioner, Jeff Mark (Wales). He was subsequently handed a four-week suspension.

An independent Disciplinary Committee comprising Philippe Cavalieros (France), Chair, Val Toma (Romania) and Chris Watts (Wales), considered video imagery of the incident and heard submissions from Muir, from Muir’s legal representative, Sam Jones, and from the EPCR Disciplinary Officer, Liam McTiernan.

Muir pleaded not guilty to the charge. In his plea, he accepted the brief description in the citing complaint but did not accept that he committed an act of Foul Play. Muir also asserted the incident was an accident.

The 26-year-old has reached out to van der Flier to apologise for the accident. The Leinster flanker fully accepts the apology and understands there was no malicious intent involved and that it was an accident.

The committee upheld the citing complaint and believe the incident warranted a red card. It was then determined that the offence was at the low end of World Rugby’s sanctions and six weeks was selected as the appropriate entry point, reduced by two weeks.

The appeal hearing will take place on Thursday 23 December at 16:00.

Bath Rugby appeal Muir’s suspension

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