Cian Healy will indeed be an option for Leo Cullen against Toulon.
The Leinster prop received a two-week suspension earlier this week after being cited for a knee to Guilhem Guirado which meant that he would miss the home tie against the reigning champions this weekend and the December 27 clash with Munster at Thomond Park.
But the province revealed on Friday evening that Healy would be starting the Aviva Stadium clash on the bench, having announced 24 hours previously their intention to appeal Healy’s punishment.
Healy has not been cleared of his ban but because the “written decision of the Judicial Officer is not available, it has not yet been possible to hear the player’s appeal nor set a date for the appeal.”
Cian Healy sent to the bin for Leinster. Harsh or fair? #ERCC
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https://t.co/qMJMfsLVnz— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) December 13, 2015
A statement from EPCR reads:
The Leinster Rugby player, Cian Healy, has lodged an appeal against the two-week suspension imposed on him at an independent Disciplinary Hearing as a result of a citing complaint following his club’s European Rugby Champions Cup Round 3 match against RC Toulon on Sunday, 13 December 2015.
The independent Judicial Officer at the hearing found that Healy had committed an act of foul play during the match in contravention of Law 10.4 (f) – Dangerous charging or obstructing or grabbing of an opponent without the ball, including shouldering.
As a written decision of the Judicial Officer is not available, it has not yet been possible to hear the player’s appeal nor set a date for the appeal.
Pending the outcome of the appeal hearing, Healy filed an application to the independent Appeal Committee to have his suspension lifted.
The independent Appeal Committee consisting of Professor Lorne Crerar (Scotland), Chairman, Rod McKenzie (Scotland) and Roddy Dunlop QC (Scotland) met today (Friday, 18 December 2015) and allowed Healy’s application to have his suspension lifted.
The player is therefore free to play until the outcome of his appeal.
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