Toulouse and France international fullback Thomas Ramos is facing a serious stint on the sidelines after being cited by the EPCR for foul play in his side’s Champions Cup clash against Sale Sharks.
The 27-year-old received a red card for a head butt on Scottish international Byron McGuigan in the dying stages of the game after the Sale fullback was tackled in the process of attempting to score a try.
The crazy ending saw Ramos entangled with multiple Sale Sharks players before thrusting his head into the Sale fullback, whilst the Sharks reserve flanker is seen giving Ramos a facial rub with his hand.
Thomas Ramos cité une deuxième fois pour une suspicion de contact avec les yeux … ah bon ?! pic.twitter.com/jx4FBaXclj
— GéM (@GeMARraldTY) December 19, 2022
The EPCR citing committee has called on Ramos to face another charge, however, with suspicions of ‘contact with the eyes or eye area’ of Sale Sharks scrumhalf Gus Warr. The incident with Warr and Ramos occurred much earlier than the full-time scuffle - in the 56th minute according to a statement issued by EPCR.
🇫🇷 BREAKING: Thomas Ramos has been cited for two separate incidents.
1) Striking Byron McGuigan with his head which resulted in Ramos being red carded.
2) Making contact with Gus Warr’s eyes/eye area.
They’re going to need to bring the multipack biscuits for this one!
— RugbyInsideLine (@RugbyInsideLine) December 19, 2022
Ramos will have to answer for both incidents and could spend a year on the sidelines with a maximum suspension of 104 weeks. The disciplinary outcome will depend on the ‘degree of violence’.
His previous record is rather clean, with just one previous send-off in 2014 against Castres.
The Toulouse fullback would miss significant playing time with his club and France, who relied upon the goal-kicking No 15 in November.
In France’s 30-26 win over South Africa in November, he kicked six penalties and a conversion for a total haul of 20 points.
Ramos’ hearing will take place on Wednesday, December 21.
