RFU v Haskell

James Segan represented England back row forward James Haskell before the Rugby Football Union’s disciplinary panel, successfully defending the player against a charge of headbutting and securing the reduction of the charge to one of dangerous play.  In what has proven to be a high-profile decision, the disciplinary panel, which included RFU disciplinary chief HHJ Jeff Blackett and ex-England prop Jeff Probyn, imposed only a one-week ban and made serious criticism of both the referee and the citing commissioner.

The decision will lead to increased scrutiny of Premiership referees’ decision-making and improved awareness amongst players of the IRB’s new “zero tolerance” approach to dangerous play in and around the ruck.