Cian Healy Stamps on Dan Coles ankle

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• published: 10 Feb 2013
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Cian Healy, the Ireland prop, could face a Six Nations ban after being cited for stamping on England's Dan Cole during a maul in the first half of Sunday's game in Dublin. The independent citing commissioner, Alberto Recaldini of Italy, has reported the incident, as an alleged act of foul play is contrary to law 10.4 (b) which states that a player "must not stamp or trample on an opponent". Healy's hearing will be held in London on Wednesday. It is hard to envisage the loosehead, a leading contender for selection by the Lions in Australia this summer, escaping censure given that television replays clearly show the stamp. England took exception to the incident and a large brawl erupted, although the referee, Jérôme Garcès, failed to spot what ignited the flare-up and Healy evaded punishment on the pitch. The recommended suspension for a low end stamping offence is two weeks, mid range five weeks and top end nine weeks, up to a maximum of one year. A two-week ban would rule him out of Ireland's next Six Nations game against Scotland on 24 February, while a more extensive suspension would also threaten his involvement against France and Italy.