Garry Ringrose's Six Nations fate became clearer after it emerged on Thursday that the Ireland centre has been handed a three-game suspension.
He will miss Ireland's key meeting with France on Match 8 as a result, having initially received a 20-minute red card during the win away to Wales last weekend.
While in any other competition, the red card would have seen Ireland reduced for the remainder of the game, under World Rugby's new laws which apply in the Six Nations, Ringrose was eligible to be replaced after twenty minutes.
Bundee Aki duly obliged in a game-winning performance after his fellow centre had been dismissed for a high tackle on Ben Thomas. The head-to-head hit in the 35th minute was adjudicated to have had low mitigation and a high degree of danger.
Six Nations subsequently took action in ensuring that Ringrose would provisionally be suspended for three matches.
Yet, he could still be available for the final round meeting with Italy. His ban will be reduced by a match if he is to complete the World Rugby Coaching Intervention programme.
Typically, a two-match ban would still see Ringrose miss out however Leinster's United Rugby Championship meeting with Cardiff during this break weekend counts as one of those fixtures.
Ringrose, given his status in the Ireland set-up, would not have togged out for his province if he was available regardless of the suspension.
However, he is set to benefit from the fact his club team has a match this weekend.
Bizarrely, when France out-half Romain Ntamack was given a three-match ban for a similar offence against the same opposition, his ban did not include Top 14 fixtures.
Therefore he was forced to sit out consecutive Test matches, effectively serving a game more than Ringrose even though the punishment was, in theory, the same.
French fans fume at Ringrose ban
The inconsitency in the disciplinary process has naturally caused a stir on social media, with a number of reporters and fans alike highlighting the discrepancy.
Sports journalist Paul Eddison summed it up, writing: "At times, I feel like French rugby fans claim double standards of disciplinary decisions a little too easily But Romain Ntamack getting a ban that cannot include Top 14 matches, and Garry Ringrose getting one where URC matches count just does not add up."
At times, I feel like French rugby fans claim double standards of disciplinary decisions a little too easily
But Romain Ntamack getting a ban that cannot include Top 14 matches, and Garry Ringrose getting one where URC matches count just does not add up
— Paul Eddison (@pauleddison) February 27, 2025
Many others were in agreement.
🤔 Inconsistency...
Ringrose's suspension includes a club game he was unlikely to play in.
Ntamack's suspension didn't include a club game, as he was unlikely to play.
Why?
— RugbyInsideLine (@RugbyInsideLine) February 27, 2025
France should be LIVID by this considering Romain Ntamack’s ban.
There is noways Ringrose would have played for Leinster this weekend. https://t.co/2cCC80YvWO
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) February 27, 2025
The Ntamack rule was not dumb but if it is applied to one, it is applied to everyone.
There is NO WAY that Ringrose would have played for Leinster this week end. This is dumb and the 6 Nations should do better. https://t.co/ojMIHbzbl2— le chat empoté (@chlooochlooo_) February 27, 2025
Other French fans on Twitter have claimed that Ntamack has been "screwed" by the process and it is easy to see why they are upset.
Ringrose and Ireland can certainly consider themselves fortunate considering the way the cards have fallen.
