Beirne red card rescinded, Ireland cleared for Japan game

Ireland lock Tadhg Beirne has had the 20 minute red card he received in the opening minutes of Ireland’s 26-13 loss to New Zealand in Chicago on November 1 rescinded, an independent Disciplinary Committee announced after a hearing on Tuesday. The committee found that, while an act of foul play occurred, it did not meet the threshold for a red card, clearing Beirne to be available for selection for Ireland’s match against Japan in Dublin on Saturday.

The incident occurred in the third minute at Soldier Field when Beirne made contact with All Blacks flyhalf Beauden Barrett. Match officials initially issued a yellow card and the Foul Play Review Officer upgraded the sanction to a 20 minute red card after a bunker review, requiring Ireland to play a period with 14 men. After 20 minutes on the sideline Beirne was replaced by Iain Henderson and could not return for the remainder of the game, which Ireland lost 26-13.

Beirne, 33, appeared before the three-person committee via video link on Tuesday, and put forward submissions that, although foul play had taken place, it did not warrant a red card under Law 9.13, which covers tackles that are early, late or above the line of the...