mens
United-Rugby-Championship
The United Rugby Championship have confirmed it Ireland and Lions prop Tadhg Furlong was cited following the incident in Leinster’s interim win over Munster.
The tight head reportedly grabbed Munster player Andrew Coombe’s groin in the 37th minute of Saturday’s match. Coombe appealed to referee Andrew Brace but the TMO was unable to provide any video evidence at the time.
However, the matter was taken further, with a statement from the URC saying, ‘The relevant Citation Commissioner has lodged an appeal against an act of foul play by a player (Tadhg Furlong no.3) against opponent Gavin Coombes (no.8).
‘A player has been cited under Law 9.27 – A player must not do anything contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship, including but not limited to grabbing, twisting or squeezing the genitals.’
Details of the disciplinary hearing will be released in due course, but if found guilty, Furlong is likely to miss the Ireland meeting Nations Championship campaign.
Joe Marler was banned for 10 weeks in March 2020 for grabbing genitalia Wales Capt. Alun Wyn Jones during an England vs Wales Six Nations match.
In a more recent example, in October 2025. South Africa first rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels received a nine-match suspension for grabbing Josh Murphy’s genitalia in the Bulls URC win over Connacht.
A similar penalty for Furlong will rule him out for the rest of the year.