Scarlets respond to Davies’ disciplinary hearing

Scarlets respond to Davies’ disciplinary hearing

Scarlets flanker James Davies has been suspended for three weeks following an independent Disciplinary Hearing in London today (Wednesday, 14 December 2016) arising from the European Rugby Champions Cup Round 3 match against RC Toulon at Stade Felix Mayol.

Scarlets Director and General Manager of Rugby Jon Daniels said;

“The core values of respect, discipline and sportsmanship ensure that rugby, more than any other sport, embraces the responsibility of developing better people and better communities by challenging unacceptable behaviour.

“Through being part of the rugby community, people from all walks of life have the opportunity to learn right from wrong but they will inevitably make mistakes. The most important aspect of making a mistake is that you respond with sincerity and integrity; that you learn from it so that it does not happen again, and you make amends in any way possible.

“It is well reported by now that incidents of bringing the game of rugby and its values into disrepute can carry the ultimate penalty sanction of dismissal.

“What James did on Sunday was unacceptable and cannot be changed but his response to the incident and his sincere remorse for his actions shows that he still has a major part to play in the Scarlets rugby community in future. He feels a personal accountability to the values of the game he has grown up with and is already making amends for his mistake by volunteering to be an ambassador for the new BT Supporters Club TACKLE programme, run by the Welsh Regions to support disaffected young people.”

“He has also hot-footed back from his disciplinary hearing in London to visit Cilgerran, the children’s ward at West Wales General Hospital, this afternoon with his teammates. Whilst our internal disciplinary process may find further sanctions are appropriate, removing James from his rugby community through contract termination is not in anyone’s interests.

“We would like to thank EPCR and the panel for the professionalism with which this case has been considered and now hope we can draw a line under these events and look forward to an exciting weekend of European Rugby.”