jamesliveinhope says...

I've seen the youtube version of this and knowing the outcome makes the offence look much worse than it would not knowing. So I will not be casting any stones.

Lets not forget that biting a finger is foul play, this is something much more serious and, if proven as deliberate, there must be an argument for civil action (thinking of Rougerie Vs Greening) or even criminal.

May be a career-ending ban.

I see that Northampton have suspended the guy "until further notice" which sounds like the prelude to a sacking.

Let's also spare a thought for Hawkins, this sort of injury could knacker the career of a hooker. Wish him well

Posted 11:27 23rd March 2012

APV1 says...

It sickens me to watch. I cannot think of any mitigating circumstances for this, nor any excuse. There's a massive difference between hard rugby and this. And a massive difference between a couple of handbags and this sort of thing.

However, with my "innocent until proven guilty" hat on, I will with-hold further comment.

Posted 13:55 22nd March 2012

rugby_rockstar says...

The video is damning. Very spiteful and he's got previous for foul play throughout the age groups. I think you have to sling the book at him just so that he realises his responsibilies towards the opposing team.

How many times have we seen the oposition shout at the ref to stop the game after a injury and then turn the injured player onto his side and look after him? thats how you need to behave towards your oponent. Its part of the rugby code.

What Clarke has done is the exact opposite.

He's young enough to come back to rugby after a lengthy ban if he wants to. The rfu needs to send the right mesage to him and other youngsters. I'd hit him with a 24 month ban at the very least. his disregard for the guys in the different coloured jerseys is almost sociopathic. How can you think that deliberatley breaking another man's elbow is acceptable?

Posted 09:56 22nd March 2012

Absoloodle says...

The manoevre is a seated arm bar. In MMA, this would be applied in a measured way so as to give the opponent an opportunity to "tap-out". There is an awareness of the technique so the victim is not unsuspecting. Therefore few of these injuries are seen in martial arts. Cowardly in the extreme.

The mechanism of hyper-extension against a lever ruptures the anterior capsule of the elbow and this major stabilizer fails, with the result usually with an elbow dislocation rather than a fracture. It could potentially be a career ending injury..

The probability is against this manoevre being unintended or opportunistic. Technique is crucial. An aggravating factor is that it is after the whistle.

The nibble on Ferris's finger is child's play in comparison. The loss of an eye would merit a lifetime ban. So in this saga: a year to eighteen months. Ammo for a court case too if it was my elbow.

ATB

Posted 08:04 22nd March 2012

UtilityBackHook says...

I finally saw the video regarding this citation...regardless of Clark's past history (which apparently includes headbutting), there's simply no place for this MMA-esque armbar in the sport of rugby, and he needs to be punished accordingly. Here's hoping for a quick recovery for Hawkins.

Posted 05:23 22nd March 2012

dicky1234 says...

this guy is a disgrace... he should recieve at LEAST a 12 month ban for this.

Posted 21:51 21st March 2012