SWINSON TO APPEAL RED CARD IN PERSON
GLASGOW WARRIORS lock Tim Swinson is to personally appeal the red card that threatens his chances of playing against Saracens in the European Champions Cup quarter-final. The Scotland international will argue his case in front of a three-man disciplinary panel in Neath on Thursday after he was ordered off in the Guinness Pro12 match against Connacht at the weekend. Glasgow’s hopes of beating Saracens in Europe will be much improved if Swinson manages to have his red card overturned as he has been in terrific form for club and country this season. If cleared, he will partner Jonny Gray in the second row from the start at Allianz Park on Sunday. Swinson was shown a straight red by Welsh referee Ian Davies for an alleged punch as well as an attempted no-arms tackle on Connacht replacement Dave Heffernan in the 66th minute of Glasgow’s 35-24 victory. A statement issued by league chiefs last night stated: ‘The red card incident occurred in the 66th minute of the game when the referee deemed the player (Tim Swinson) to have committed an act of foul play against a Connacht player (No 16) under Law 10.4 (e) — Dangerous Tackle.’ Warriors head coach Gregor Townsend will accompany his player to the hearing. On the incident, Townsend commented: ‘I think you have to look at all the angles as swinging arms can be used in rugby and he is aiming at the ball. ‘It looks like they had one look at the angle and made his decision. It could have been no more than an accidental collision.’