USA full-back Mitch Wilson appeared before an independent Disciplinary Committee on Tuesday, 19 November, 2024 having received a red card for an offence contrary to Law 9.13 (dangerous tackling) in USA’s November international match against Tonga on Saturday, 16 November.

The independent Disciplinary Committee was chaired by Rhian Williams (Wales), joined by former international referee Valeriu Toma (Romania) and former international player Martyn Wood (England).

The player accepted that he had committed an act of foul play but challenged the referee’s decision that the act warranted a red card.

Having considered all the available evidence, including the application of World Rugby’s Head Contact Process, the submissions by the player and his representatives, and all available camera angles, the independent Committee determined that the red card was upheld.

On that basis, and in considering the sanction, the independent committee applied World Rugby’s mandatory minimum mid-range entry point for foul play resulting in head contact (six matches). Taking all considerations into account, including the player’s exemplary disciplinary record, his early acknowledgment of foul play and his clear remorse, the independent Committee determined full mitigation of three matches was appropriate, resulting in a final sanction of three matches to be applied as follows:

• Spain v USA – 23 November, 2024
• Major League Rugby (MLR) pre-season match – 25 January, 2025
• MLR pre-season match – 1 February, 2025*

*The player may apply to take part in the World Rugby Coaching Intervention Programme to substitute the final match of the sanction for a coaching intervention aimed at modifying specific techniques and technical issues that contributed to the foul play subject to successful completion. Further information can be found here.

The player has the right of appeal within 48 hours of the issuing of the full written decision, which will appear here once published.