Exeter Chiefs flanker Ethan Roots has been handed a three-match ban after striking Gloucester hooker Jack Innard, a former teammate and self-described friend, during a Premiership match. The incident occurred in the final moments of Sunday's game at Kingsholm, leaving Innard concussed.
Roots received a 20-minute red card for the hit, which came after Innard tackled him on an already injured calf. Roots explained that contact reopened a wound requiring four stitches. "I reacted by pushing my hand down on his head. It was a split second response to pain and frustration," he said in a statement to the RFU disciplinary panel.
The ban means Roots will miss Exeter's European Challenge Cup semi-final against Ulster, as well as Premiership fixtures against Bath and Harlequins. The panel reduced the suspension from an initial six games due to Roots' early guilty plea, clean record, and cooperation.
Roots emphasized there is no bad blood between the players. "We have no personal animosity at all. To the contrary, he is a friend," he added.