James Ryan has effectively been banned for Leinster’s next two matches following his red card during the clash between Ireland and South Africa.
Referee Matthew Carley issued Ryan a yellow card in the 20th minute of the encounter at Aviva Stadium after he executed a dangerous clear-out on Springboks hooker Malcolm Marx.
His indiscretion also meant that Tadhg Beirne’s try was disallowed while Carley sent the incident to be reviewed by the Foul Play Review Officer, who upgraded the yellow card to a 20-minute red.
Ireland would ultimately go on to lose the match 24-13.
James Ryan’s ban
Ryan has since fronted an independent Disciplinary Committee, who deemed that the decision to upgrade the yellow card to a red was the correct call and have determined that the lock’s actions warranted a mid-range entry point on World Rugby’s sanctioning provisions.
World Rugby’s Sanction Entry Points regarding Law 9.20.a ‘Dangerous play in a ruck or maul’ reads as follows: “A player must not charge into a ruck or maul. Charging includes any contact made without binding onto another player in the ruck or maul.
The sanction points are: Low-end: 2 weeks/matches, Mid-range: 6 weeks/matches, Top-end: 10+ weeks/matches and Max: 52 weeks/matches.
A Quliter Nations Series statement confirming Ryan’s ban explained that Ryan received a full 50% reduction in sanction, dropping his six-match to three weeks while the lock can shave another week off by completing.
What Schalk Burger ‘loved’ about James Ryan’s red card while ex-Springbok hits out at ‘dirty play’
“Ireland number 4, James Ryan, appeared before an independent Disciplinary Committee this afternoon via video link having received a red card for an act of foul play contrary to Law 9.20a in the match between Ireland and South Africa on Saturday 22 November 2025,” the statement read.
“The independent Disciplinary Committee was chaired by Wang Shao-ing (Singapore), joined by Bogdan Zebega (Romania) and Val Toma (Romania)
Slap on the wrist for James Ryan who has been banned for *three weeks.
*Reduced by a week when he completes World Rugby’s Coaching Intervention Programme. pic.twitter.com/cOFogIbDqc
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) November 26, 2025
“The Disciplinary Committee has upheld the red card issued to the player and by applying World Rugby’s sanctioning provisions, have determined that the mid-range entry point of six weeks/matches was appropriate. In light of the player accepting the red card, his clean disciplinary record as well as other mitigating factors, they have applied the maximum 50% reduction in sanction, thus reducing the final sanction to three weeks/matches.
Ex-Ireland star on ‘bizarre’ moment that ‘totally defeated all of my mindset’ about the Springboks
The suspension will cover the following fixtures:
28 November 2025 – Dragons RFC vs Leinster Rugby, United Rugby Championship
6 December 2025 – Leinster Rugby vs Harlequins, EPCR Champions Cup
12 December 2025 – Leicester Tigers vs Leinster Rugby, EPCR Champions Cup *
* The player has additionally been given permission to apply to take part in World Rugby’s Coaching Intervention Programme to substitute the final match of their sanction which is aimed at modifying specific techniques and technical issues that contributed to the foul play.”