Townsend slams ‘ridiculous’ ban for van der Merwe over hand-off

Gregor Townsend has branded Duhan van der Merwe’s suspension as “ridiculous” and called on World Rugby to clarify its position on hand-offs after Scotland were denied the services of their prolific winger for the remainder of the Guinness Six Nations.

Van der Merwe will miss tomorrow’s game against Italy and the match with Ireland a week later after being given a three-week ban following his red card for Worcester Warriors against London Irish.

The player’s forearm made contact with the face of opponent Kyle Rowe while attempting a hand-off during the Gallagher Premiership match.

Townsend was perplexed by the decision to send off the winger and then angered by the severity of the ban which was the same length as the suspension handed to the France prop Mohamed Haouas for punching Jamie Ritchie in the face during the 2020 Six Nations.

The Scotland coach is concerned that the art of the hand-off is being lost and that van der Merwe is being punished with a tariff equivalent to that used for far more serious offences.

“Look, I was really disappointed with the decision at the time, and I’ve been scratching my head ever since,” said Townsend. “We’re allowed to hand-off in the game of rugby, it’s in the law book and something we do from a young age, it’s something which is celebrated.

“So, you’re allowed to put your hand in someone’s face, in the head area, so for someone to attempt that at high speed against another player who is going at high speed, who is upright trying to tackle him, and execute it in the end but on the way to doing that his forearm touches that player’s face… the fine margin for that, from something which would have been celebrated as a great hand-off, to be sent off from the game and you are not going to play for three weeks, is ridiculous in my view.

“World Rugby need to come out with a statement and make a distinction between something which is legal and encouraged in the game, and not put attempted handoffs in the same criteria as a high tackle or a dangerous