Cardiff’s Thomas given three-game ban for red card

After receiving a 20-minute red card in Cardiff’s win against the Lions for the United Rugby Championship (URC), centre Ben Thomas has received a three-game ban.

The 26-year-old will miss Connacht’s home game the weekend after Saturday’s game against Munster (19:45 BST) and Munster’s game at home.

His ban will be reduced to two games and he will be able to play for the derby against the Dragons in round four of the URC if he successfully completes the World Rugby Coaching Intervention Programme.

After 33 minutes, Taine Basham’s disallowed try for flanker Thomas was penalized for a dangerous clearout on scrum-half Nico Steyn.

Thomas “accepted” that he had committed a crime that warranted a red card, according to a URC disciplinary update.

Six weeks was the offence’s entry point, but the center had three games off because of his strong record.