Three-game ban for Hastings’ red card

Adam Hastings’ Scotland return will be further delayed after he was handed a three-game ban for his red card against Leinster on Sunday.

Catching a high ball in the 37th minute of Glasgow Warriors’ Guinness PRO14 fixture, an airborne Hastings raised his lead leg and his boot made contact with Cian Kelleher’s face.

Referee Frank Murphy produced his red card following the TMO review and the disciplinary process concluded the incident merited a midrange entry point.

Given the mitigating factors, including the player’s acceptance of foul play, a 50% reduction was applied to the default ban of six weeks, meaning Hastings will miss the next three games.

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend had recalled the 24-year-old for last weekend’s Six Nations match with France before a coronavirus outbreak in the French camp saw the fixture postponed.

Hastings has not played for his country since he sustained a shoulder injury in the 14-10 win over Wales in Llanelli in October but returned to action with Glasgow against Ulster on February 19, before starting the Warriors’ defeat to Leinster.

Hastings, who will join Gloucester at the end of the season, will now be absent for Scotland’s next two Six Nations fixtures against Ireland and Italy, with his ban due to end at midnight on March 21.

Back-row forwards Ally Miller and Rory Darge will both move from Edinburgh to Glasgow this summer.

Scotland Sevens player Miller has made 21 appearances for Edinburgh while former Scotland Under-20 captain Darge signed his first professional deal last summer following a spell with Super6 side Southern Knights.