Four-week ban for Saints’ Van Velze

Northampton No.8 Garrit-Jan van Velze has been suspended for four weeks after being found guilty of a ‘tip tackle’ offence in Sunday’s Aviva Premiership match against Exeter Chiefs.
The player was sinned binned during the game at the Franklin’s Gardens for a spear tackle on Will Chudley but, with the IRB’s position on tip tackle, the four-week ban seemed inevitable.
It was the first time video referring was used in a Premiership match for a non try-scoring action.
Van Velze, who pleaded guilty, will be free to play again on October 10.
Earlier, during the same hearing, Moseley’s Anthony Carter was found guilty of an amended charge of dangerous tackling in their Championship match against Nottingham.
Carter is suspended for two weeks and will be free to play again on September 26.