Overview
- An independent committee chaired by Christopher Quinlan KC, with Wayne Erickson and Becky Essex, rescinded Tadhg Beirne’s bunker-upgraded dismissal.
- The panel accepted that foul play occurred under Law 9.13 but determined it did not reach the red-card threshold.
- The IRFU supplied a previously unseen camera angle, while Beauden Barrett’s statement and a note from New Zealand’s team doctor informed the assessment.
- Foul play review officer Dan Jones had upgraded the initial yellow to a 20-minute red, citing high danger with no mitigation in his report.
- The decision makes Beirne available for Japan and the remaining November Tests, with coach Andy Farrell noting the hearing was a distraction as the player returned to training after receiving stitches.