Cardiff Blues have received notification from the ERC regarding the hearing relating to Xavier Rush's red card against Northampton Saints last Sunday.

The ERC issued the following statement.

Xavier Rush, the Cardiff Blues player (No 8), appeared before an independent Disciplinary Hearing in Bristol today (Wednesday, 22 December, 2010) as a result of the red card he received during the Heineken Cup Pool 1 match against Northampton Saints at Cardiff City Stadium on Sunday, 19 December, 2010.??The red card was issued in the 55^th minute of the second half by referee Jerome Garces (France) for a dangerous tackle above the line of the shoulders on Northampton Saints lock Courtney Lawes (No 4) in contravention of Law 10.4 (e).

Mr Rush was accompanied by Cardiff Blues Chief Executive Robert Norster and, after reviewing all angles, the match officials' reports and hearing from the player and his representative and ERC Disciplinary Officer Roger O'Connor, the independent Judicial Officer, Christopher Quinlan (England), determined that the tackle was at the low entry point of two (2) weeks.

The independent Judicial Officer found it was a recklessly effected tackle with no intent by Mr Rush to make contact as high as he did. There was also no intent to cause injury, and Mr Lawes appeared to almost be on one knee at the time of impact.

The independent Judicial Officer considered there were no aggravating factors and he accepted that Mr Rush pleaded guilty, that he had an excellent record, that he showed remorse and that he conducted himself well at the hearing. This mitigation resulted in a one (1) week reduction from the entry point of two (2) weeks.

Mr Rush is therefore suspended for one week up to and including 27 December and is free to play on 28 December.

Speaking of the decision Cardiff Blues Director of Rugb, David Young, said,

"We have got cover in the Backrow with Tom Brown, Andries Pretorius and Maama Molitika able to play at Number 8 but obviously want to go into the festive derbies with our best players."

"Xavier Rush is not a dirty player and we felt the sending off was quite harsh."

"It's good news that he will be available for selection for our match against the Ospreys on New Year's Eve."