Welsh Six Nations hopes hit by Davies suspension
WALES coach Warren Gatland faces a second-row selection crisis ahead of Sunday’s Six Nations clash with Scotland after lock Bradley Davies was banned for seven weeks, thereby ruling him out of the rest of the tournament.
Davies’ suspension, announced after a disciplinary hearing in London yesterday, followed his citing for a tip-tackle on Ireland’s Donncha Ryan during last Sunday’s victory in Dublin.
Gatland has already been forced to make do without injured locks Alun-Wyn Jones and Luke Charteris, who are both likely to miss the whole competition, meaning Ryan Jones, who impressed at blindside flanker in his side’s Six Nations opener, is likely to take the No4 shirt against Scotland at the Millennium Stadium.
Meanwhile, Ireland’s Stephen Ferris will be available for his side’s clash with France on Saturday in Paris after he escaped punishment for a tip-tackle on Wales lock Ian Evans in the same match.
The offence resulted in referee Wayne Barnes issuing a yellow card and a penalty, which Leigh Halfpenny kicked to snatch a last-gasp 23-21 win for Wales.