Garry Ringrose could be available for Ireland's final Guinness Six Nations game against Italy next month, despite picking up a suspension following his red card against Wales last Saturday.
The centre has been suspended for three games by an independent disciplinary committee, but that ban will be reduced to two weeks if he completes World Rugby's coaching intervention programme, more commonly known as 'Tackle School'.
The Leinster centre was sent off in last weekend’s 27-18 win over Wales for a dangerous tackle on Ben Thomas.
Initially shown a yellow on-field, the card was upgraded to red following a bunker review.
The 30-year-old appeared in front of an independent disciplinary this morning which upheld the red card card decision. It was deemed the offence carried a mid-range entry point of six weeks, with 50% mitigation applied after Ringrose accepted he committed an act of foul play, and his previous good disciplinary record.
If Ringrose completes 'Tackle School' he will only serve a two-game ban, which crucially includes Leinster's BKT United Rugby Championship meeting with Cardiff on Saturday, and would ensure he's available for selection for Ireland's final Six Nations outing against Italy in Rome.
The inclusion of Leinster's URC game with Cardiff on the list of games may prove controversial. Earlier in the championship, France's Romain Ntamack received an identical suspension after he was red-carded for a high tackle - also on Ben Thomas - in his side's win against Wales.
Like Ringrose, Ntamack was suspended for three games, which was reduced to two after 'Tackle School', but the Toulouse out-half had to miss two Six Nations games, after the disciplinary panel did not allow a Top14 game to be included, as the out-half would not have played for the club that weekend.
Ntamack sat out his side's defeat to England at Twickenham, as well as their win against Italy in Rome, but is due to return for next week's potential championship-decider in Dublin.
