Rugby
Flood escapes punishment
2013-01-09 07:47
London - Leicester's England outside-half Toby Flood was on Tuesday cleared by a Rugby Football Union (RFU) disciplinary panel over charges he committed a tip tackle on Worcester's Andy Goode.
Flood was cited for the incident, which occurred during the second half of Leicester's 19-14 Premiership win at Sixways on Friday, but the disciplinary board elected not to uphold the citing.
The decision means Flood will be able to play in the Tigers' European Cup matches against Ospreys and Toulouse, as well as England's Six Nations campaign.
The disciplinary panel's chairman, Jeremy Summer, said that although Goode had been the victim of a dangerous tackle, the proximity of Leicester hooker Rob Hawkins and Worcester's James Percival had to be taken into account.
"Whilst we found that the elements of a dangerous tackle were made out, after very careful analysis we could not be satisfied, to that standard required, that the dynamics of the incident had not been caused, or contributed to, significantly by the involvement of other players from both teams," said Summer.
England coach Stuart Lancaster is due to name his squad for the Six Nations on Wednesday.
Earlier on Tuesday, London Welsh hooker Neil Briggs was given a three-week suspension for aiming a punch at Harlequins wing Sam Smith.
Briggs will now miss the Exiles' European Challenge Cup fixtures against Cavalieri and Stade Francais, as well as the Anglo-Welsh Cup tie with Quins.
He was reported for punching or striking Smith during last Sunday's 31-26 home loss to Quins at Oxford's Kassam Stadium.