Six Nations: Ulster prop Tom O’Toole to miss Ireland’s first two matches as part of six-match ban

Judicial officer Sheriff Mackie had originally requested a 10-game suspension for O’Toole’s challenge on Nankivell, which resulted in the Munster center suffering a hamstring injury.

In a statement posted on its website, the URC explained that O’Toole received a 40% mitigation for his “admission of foul play, immediate apology and again post-match.”

However, because O’Toole previously received a red card for “foul play” against Toulouse in 2022, “all mitigating factors did not apply.”

Interim coach Simon Easterby said in the URC statement that O’Toole would have “barring injury or suspension, a very good chance of being named in the matchday squad” as he had been “a consistent member of the senior team Ireland since its debut in 2021.”

As a result, the URC considered it “appropriate” to include Ireland’s matches in the ban.

Following the England and Scotland matches, Ireland will face Wales away, France at home and finish against Italy in Rome in their quest to win a third successive Six Nations title.

Easterby, who takes interim charge of Ireland as Andy Farrell prepares to lead the British and Irish Lions on their tour of Australia in the summer, will name his Six Nations squad on Wednesday, January 15.