Georgia’s Luka Nioradze appeared before an independent Disciplinary Committee on Wednesday 27 November, having received a red card for an offence contrary to Law 9.20(e) (dangerous play in a ruck or maul, specifically, a player must not drop their weight onto an opponent or target the lower limbs) following a red card in Georgia’s November International match against Tonga on Sunday, 24 November 2024.

The independent Disciplinary Committee was chaired by Matthew Weaver KC (England), joined by former international referee Valeriu Toma (Romania) and former international player Stefan Terblanche (South Africa).

The player accepted that he had committed an act of foul play and that the referee’s decision to award a red card was correct.

Having accepted that the act of foul play justified the red card and by applying World Rugby’s sanctioning provisions, the Disciplinary Committee determined that whilst reckless, the low-range entry point of two weeks was appropriate.

Taking all considerations into account, including the player’s exemplary disciplinary record, his early acknowledgment of foul play and his clear remorse, the Disciplinary Committee determined full mitigation of one match was appropriate, resulting in a final sanction of one match to be applied as follows:

• Biarritz vs Aurillac, French Pro D2, 29 November 2024

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

Visit World Rugby’s dedicated disciplinary process education and information page, which includes a video on how rugby's disciplinary process works.