Four-week ban sees Schoeman miss Euro ties

Edinburgh prop Pierre Schoeman will miss the start of Edinburgh’s Heineken Champions Cup campaign after being suspended for four weeks for his dismissal against Leinster on Saturday.

The South African loosehead was red-carded after a 71st-minute collision with Leinster’s Dan Leavy during the Guinness Pro14 clash. He was deemed to have struck his opponent’s head with his elbow.

Schoeman will miss Edinburgh’s home Pro14 matches against Benetton on Friday and Cheetahs on 5 October, plus the first two Heineken Champions Cup ties away at Montpellier (13 October) and at home to Toulon (20 October).

A statement issued after a disciplinary hearing read: “Pierre Schoeman of Edinburgh Rugby has been banned for four weeks.

“The Disciplinary Panel, comprising of Simon Thomas (Chair), Roger Morris and Nigel Williams (all Wales), concluded that there was an act of foul play of striking the head with the forearm which carries a mid-range entry point (six weeks).

“A ban of six weeks was reduced due to mitigating circumstances, the player’s acceptance of the red card and behaviour throughout the hearing. The player will be banned for a period of four weeks and can return to play from midnight on Sunday, 21 October.”

Schoeman could appeal but it seems unlikely as Edinburgh coach Richard Cockerill accepted the referee’s decision.