Bath's Alfie Barbeary receives three-week suspension after red card against Racing 92 in Investec Champions Cup

Bath's No. 8 Alfie Barbeary has been hit with a three-week ban after receiving a red card in his team’s Investec Champions Cup match against Racing 92.

The 23-year-old was sent off after two yellows during Bath’s 29-25 victory at the Rec.

The first offence was a high tackle on Max Spring, before Barbeary was given his marching orders for a forearm collision on Nolann Le Garrec.

It was established in a disciplinary hearing that the first offence had warranted a red card, which Barbeary agreed with.

This acceptance of the charge, coupled with Barbeary’s good record, saw the initial six-week suspension reduced to three weeks.

This could be reduced even further if Barbeary completes World Rugby’s coaching intervention course, giving him a return date of January 29.

If so, Barbeary would miss Bath’s trip to Toulouse in the Champions Cup on Sunday, January 21, followed by the Gallagher Premiership Rugby encounter against Bristol Bears on January 27. Both matches will be broadcast live on TNT Sports.

Barbeary is a key player for Bath, scoring the team’s second try against Racing 92 last week. The victory secured Bath a place in the knockout stages of the Champions Cup.

Despite his impressive performances, Barbeary was not included in the 36-player England squad for the upcoming Men’s Six Nations. Manager Steve Borthwick cited the disciplinary hearing as a reason for his decision.

"I rate Alfie very highly, and he knows that I have said that to him,” Borthwick said. "We met a couple of weeks ago at a health food cafe in Bath and we had a good chat then.

"I spoke to him a week ago and yesterday, and have been in regular contact with him. It is a competitive position, and I think he has done really well.

"The disciplinary hearing tonight is a factor; I want certainty around the squad going forward. He has had some injury setbacks and it has tested his character.

"I think he is going to feature in the England team in the near future. If he continues the way he is going I think he is going to have a big part to play for English Rugby."

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