![\"Bath](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1_Bath-Rugby-v-Northampton-Saints-Gallagher-PREM.jpg\")
<\/p>\nHooker Dunn was shown a red card in Bath Rugby’s 69-12 romp against Newcastle Red Bulls in Round 16 of the Gallagher PREM<\/p>\n
Bath Rugby’s Tom Dunn during the Gallagher PREM match between Bath Rugby and Northampton Saints(Image: CameraSport via Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Bath Rugby hooker Tom Dunn will be available to play in the Gallagher PREM semi-finals after he was handed just a two-match ban following his red card in Bath Rugby’s 69-12 romp against Newcastle Red Bulls in Round 16 of the Gallagher PREM on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Dunn accepted the charge at the disciplinary hearing after making head contact with Newcastle captain George McGuigan’s face in an upright tackle.<\/p>\n
READ MORE: Bath Rugby stars shortlisted for top prizes at PREM Rugby’s awards<\/a><\/p>\n McGuigan submitted a statement stating that contact had been minimal, with doctors’ submissions confirming that the Red Bulls forward had suffered no significant ill effects from the impact. In a classy move, McGuigan called for the panel to be lenient with their suspension.<\/p>\n Providing he takes World Rugby’s ‘tackle school’ course, Dunn will miss the final two league games of the PREM season, away at Bristol Bears next Friday and then at home to Leicester Tigers on the final day, with Bath still vying for a home semi-final.<\/p>\n As part of the hearing, Bath head of rugby Johann van Graan provided a glowing reference of Dunn’s character.<\/p>\n In a written submission, he said: “Tom is a family man, a team man, a Bath Rugby legend with an incredible love for rugby, becoming the most capped Bath player in the professional era last Saturday against the Red Bulls of Newcastle, earning his 267th Cap.<\/p>\n “He is also on our leadership team and has captained the team with me as the Head of Rugby.<\/p>\n “Tom received a red card on Saturday, the first since I have been coaching him. I can categorically state that Tom is a hard-working, diligent player who has one of the highest training percentages at the club, always working on his craft.<\/p>\n “Tom is a hooker who makes a lot of contact in a game, whether it be in the scrum or maul, or making tackles, carrying the ball or cleaning out. Tom is a rugby man who plays the game within it\u2019s values.<\/p>\n “We as a team have qualified for the Prem semi-final in three weeks’ time, and Tom is an integral part of our team.”<\/p>\n In Dunn’s absence, van Graan will have Kepu Tuipulotu, who has just been called into Steve Borthwick’s wider England training squad to prepare for the Nations Championship, and Dan Frost as senior options to pick from.<\/p>\n Bath Rugby on Whatsapp<\/p>\n Join SomersetLive’s Whatsapp community for all the biggest Bath Rugby stories sent straight to your phone<\/p>\n SomersetLive<\/a> is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our community.<\/p>\n Through the app, we\u2019ll send the Bath Rugby news, live match coverage, team news, transfers, fixtures, analysis and more straight to your phone.<\/p>\n To join our community you need to already have WhatsApp. All you need to do is click this link and select \u2018Join Community\u2019.<\/a><\/p>\n No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the SomersetLive<\/a> team.<\/p>\n We also treat community members to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. If you don\u2019t like our community, you can check out at any time you like. If you\u2019re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.<\/a><\/p>\n