Lions star handed four-match ban after loss to the Wallabies in third Test

Fintan Starkey

By Fintan Starkey


Published: 04/08/2025

- 21:09

The incident occurred during the loss on Saturday

Four matches on the sidelines await Dan Sheehan after disciplinary action was taken against the British and Irish Lions hooker for a dangerous clearout in Sydney on Saturday.

The Ireland international's elbow struck Tom Lynagh's head during the opening period of the Lions' 22-12 defeat to Australia at Accor Stadium.


Georgian official Nika Amashukeli failed to penalise the incident at the time, though Lynagh managed to convert a penalty shortly afterwards.

The Australian fly-half subsequently left the field for a head injury assessment and never returned to action.

Dan Sheehan

Dan Sheehan will miss the next four games for Leinster due to the ban

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Television footage revealed the 26-year-old Leinster player's elbow connecting with his opponent's head area.

A retrospective citing followed, leading to Monday's suspension announcement that will see Sheehan absent from several crucial fixtures for his province.

World Rugby's independent review panel concluded that Sheehan acted recklessly and that his actions posed a significant threat to player safety.

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The committee found no mitigating factors and determined that contact with Lynagh's head warranted the sanction.

The forward faces missing Leinster's pre-season fixture against Cardiff on September 13, followed by United Rugby Championship encounters with the Stormers and Sharks on 26 September and October 11.

Should he serve the complete ban, he'll also be absent for the provincial derby against Munster on October 18.

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Dan Sheehan

Dan Sheehan was deemed to have been reckless as his elbow struck the head of Tom Lynagh

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The suspension could be reduced to three matches if Sheehan completes a coaching intervention programme.

While accepting the punishment, the player disputed that his actions constituted foul play or merited the citation in his formal submissions to the panel.

The incident occurred whilst Sheehan was serving as captain, having taken over leadership duties after Maro Itoje departed for his own head injury assessment.

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Despite Saturday's setback in Sydney, Andy Farrell's tourists secured a 2-1 series triumph following earlier victories in Brisbane and Melbourne.

The suspension represents a significant blow for Leinster, who will be without their first-choice hooker for the opening stages of their campaign.

Dan Sheehan

Dan Sheehan will be unavailable for Leinster for the opening of their campaign

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The Irish province must navigate their early-season fixtures without the 26-year-old's services, including key encounters against South African opposition.

The Lions' series success marks their first victory over the Wallabies since 2013, though the achievement has been somewhat overshadowed by the disciplinary proceedings against one of their key forwards.