Red card rules Henderson out of two Six Nations games

Henderson will also sit out Ulster’s away trip to the Cardiff Blues on 2 November and the clash a week later with Glasgow Warriors at Kingspan Stadium.

The Ireland lock was given a straight red card by Scottish referee Mike Adamson on 75 minutes for making contact with his shoulder to the head of Ospreys full back Dan Evans in the win at the Liberty Stadium.

The red card comes under Law 9.20 – Dangerous Play in a ruck or maul.

The Disciplinary Hearing was handled by Andrea Caraci (FIR) and it was accepted that Henderson’s actions warranted a red card for foul play.

The incident was deemed a mid-range offence, which carries a six-week suspension.

Henderson’s clean disciplinary record, co-operation throughout the process and remorse shown warranted mitigation of fifty percent, bringing his ban to three weeks.

The second row is free to resume playing from midnight on 9 November and Henderson was reminded of his right to appeal. Henderson will be available for Ireland’s first game in the new

Autumn Nations Cup against Wales at the Aviva Stadium on Friday 13th November.

The news will come as a blow to Ireland coach Andy Farrell as he prepares the team for the clash with Italy on Saturday week having already lost Leinster lock Ryan Baird to injury.

Full back Jordan Larmour, winger Keith Earls, plus Dave Kilcoyne and Tadhg Furlong had already been ruled out of the squad due to injury.

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