Healy bites the bullet after his ban for derbies
CIAN Healy will miss Leinster’s festive Pro14 inter-provincial derbies after being banned for three matches over an incident against Exeter Chiefs.
Healy was cited for the reckless use of a forearm during the European Champions Cup win on Saturday.
He received a yellow card but a disciplinary panel found that it warranted a red card.
A minimum two-week ban was imposed plus an additional seven days for his poor previous disciplinary record.
Healy pleaded guilty to the offence of charging a ruck during the pool match at the Aviva Stadium.
He will miss the Boxing Day meeting with Munster, a New Year’s Day encounter against Connacht and a 6 January game with Ulster. ■■Michele Campagnaro scored a try against Australia in his last match in June Exeter centre Michele Campagnaro could return to action within the next month.
The Italy international, 24, has missed the entire season so far after injuring knee ligaments in the summer, but could now be fit for the Six Nations.
“He’s battled through, he’s ahead of schedule. Sometimes these can take up to nine months, but we’re thinking way down on that,” said Exeter head coach Ali Hepher.
“He’s out there running about, so all the signs are promising.”
Hepher added: “He won’t be right into it in the first week of January, but hopefully as we get into the new year he’ll start appearing.”
Campagnaro has played just 26 times since joining Exeter in the summer of 2015 - he missed the start of last season with a hamstring injury while he injured his shoulder while paying for Italy in this year’s Six Nations.
“He brings physicality, he’s an exceptionally strong carrier on the ball, and then defensively he’s aggressive, he can compete hard at the breakdown,” added Hepher.
“He has big moments in big games, which we’ve seen in the past and I’m sure we will do in the future.” Hinckley ....................................... Sale FC .......................................... Sedgley Park ............................. Tynedale ...................................... Stourbridge ............................... South Leicester ...................... Huddersfield ............................. Leicester Lions ........................ Sheffield Tigers ...................... Chester ......................................... Blaydon ........................................ Otley ............................................... Macclesfield .............................. Luctonians ................................. Sheffield ...................................... Wharfedale ................................ Morpeth ....................................... Driffield ........................................ West Leeds ................................ Bridlington ................................. Penrith .......................................... Alnwick ......................................... Cleckheaton .............................. Malton & Norton ..................... Huddersfield YMCA .............. Bradford & Bingley ............... West Hartlepool ...................... Dinnington ................................. Percy Park .................................. Northern .....................................