Ireland prop Furlong cited over alleged groin grab

Published6 hours ago

Ireland prop Tadhg Furlong has been cited over an alleged groin grab in Leinster's United Rugby Championship win over Munster on Saturday.

Munster back row Gavin Coombes raised the allegation against an unnamed Leinster player with match referee Andrew Brace in the closing stages of the first half at the Aviva Stadium, but television match official (TMO) Colin Stanley could not find any video evidence at the time.

However, three-time British and Irish Lions tourist Furlong has now been cited over an act of foul play under Law 9.27, which says a "a player must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship including but not limited to grabbing, twisting or squeezing the genitals".

A statement from the URC said "arrangements for the disciplinary process are currently in progress and will be announced in due course".

If found guilty of the offence, the 33-year-old would be in danger of missing Ireland's Nations Championship matches with Argentina, Fiji and South Africa in Dublin, as well as the finals weekend in London.

In October 2025, South Africa front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels received a nine-match suspension for grabbing Josh Murphy's genitals in the Bulls' URC win over Connacht.

For that incident, Wessels was handed a 12-week suspension - the shortest ban under World Rugby rules for such an offence - that was reduced by three weeks due to his "good conduct prior to and at the hearing and good record".

If similar action was taken against Furlong, he would potentially miss Leinster's Investec Champions Cup Pool match with Sale, as well as the festive inter-provincial derbies with Ulster and Munster.

Speaking after the 24-18 defeat at the Aviva Stadium, Munster head coach Clayton McMillan said he would "back our players 100% that if they make an allegation like that".

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen said he did not see the incident, which occurred in the 37th minute when Munster were leading, but acknowledged it was a "serious matter".

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