Gloucester Rugby faces continued front row challenges as All Black prop Nepo Laulala has been suspended for two matches due to a high tackle in Friday night’s closely contested 19-17 Gallagher Premiership Rugby Cup victory over rivals Bath.
Laulala was cited for a dangerous high tackle on Bath’s young loosehead prop Scott Kirk, an infraction that resulted in a yellow card during the game, officiated by referee Hamish Grant. The match had no Television Match Official (TMO), as it was streamed exclusively on YouTube.
An independent disciplinary panel, led by Oliver Clark alongside Kylie Hutchison and Vicky Irwin, reviewed the incident. They upheld the citing and handed Laulala a three-match ban, which can be reduced to two if he completes World Rugby’s Coaching Intervention Programme, commonly known as ‘tackle school.’
READ MORE: Another Coffee Shop Closes in Cheltenham Town Centre
READ MORE: Shire Hall Commits to Prioritizing Young People’s Voices in Decision-Making
This suspension sidelines Laulala for Gloucester’s upcoming Gallagher Premiership showdown at home against Harlequins on November 29, as well as the club’s Investec Champions Cup opener against Top 14 side Castres on December 7. He will be available for the trip to Munster but returns the club’s front row depth depleted, with Jamal Ford-Robinson still sidelined alongside loosehead Val Rapava-Ruskin.
Laulala, 34, joined Gloucester this summer after recovering from an Achilles injury sustained at Toulouse. He has featured in four games for the Cherry and Whites since his arrival.
Despite these setbacks, Gloucester is nurturing emerging talent in their front row. England A call-ups Afolabi Fasogbon and Ciaran Knight, who offers versatility on both sides of the scrum, represent promising options. Fasogbon started consecutively for England A during their recent fixtures, while Knight, yet to earn a cap, was an unused squad member.
England A’s recent match in Spain proved thrilling as Gloucester full-back Ben Redshaw sealed a dramatic late victory with a try following a precise cross-field kick from Charlie Atkinson. This spirited finish highlighted the potential of Gloucester’s wider squad during this challenging period.