Toulon have been dealt a major blow ahead of their Investec Champions Cup quarter-final showdown with the Glasgow Warriors, with veteran centre Ma’a Nonu ruled out through suspension.
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The 43-year-old midfield enforcer has been hit with a three-week ban following his late tackle on Stormers centre Wandisile Simelane during their last-16 clash at Stade Mayol.
Nonu was initially shown only a yellow card for the 79th-minute incident, but it didn’t end there. The tackle was subsequently reviewed and cited, dragging the former All Black into a disciplinary hearing.
Facing the panel, Nonu admitted his actions warranted a red card. Officials agreed, confirming he had breached Law 9.13 for a dangerous tackle.
Ma’a Nonu s’en est quand même bien sorti avec un carton jaune sur ce plaquage. Je comprends le côté «sacrifice» qu’on mis en avant certains supporters toulonnais. Mais je pense qu’il aurait pu le prendre un peu plus bas. pic.twitter.com/HIA0FiAdk6
— Pablo Guillen (@pablo_guillen_) April 7, 2026
World Rugby guidelines set a six-week mid-range entry point for the offence, but that was slashed in half thanks to Nonu’s clean record, acceptance of guilt and visible remorse.
Still, it means Toulon must now travel to Scotstoun without one of their most experienced operators in a huge knockout clash.
Sale blow as Jibulu banned for biting incident
There was more disciplinary drama elsewhere, with Sale Sharks hooker Nathan Jibulu slapped with a six-week suspension after biting an opponent during their defeat to Harlequins.
The incident, which occurred in the Champions Cup last 16, carries a hefty minimum sanction of 12 weeks under World Rugby rules.
Jibulu admitted the charge, and although the panel started at the lower-end entry point, his ban was cut by 50% due to his remorse, inexperience and previously clean record.
The suspension rules him out of Sale’s quarter-final trip to Dublin, where they face Irish giants Leinster Rugby — a huge miss at a crucial stage of the competition.
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