France’s Rugby Union Coach Philippe Saint-Andre Says Pape’s 10-Week Suspension Is ‘Very Severe’

France’s Rugby Union coach Philippe Saint-Andre said that Pascal Pape’s suspension of 10 weeks is far too severe. According to Saint-Andre, Pape and his lawyers are contemplating on filing an appeal for the said punishment.

“I find the punishment very severe,” Saint-Andre was quoted saying ahead of France’s Six Nations match against Wales as reported by French news outlet Ledauphine.com. “It is his (Pape’s) last tournament and it’s a shame that it had to end like this for him and the team of France.”

Saint-Andre, who earned 69 test caps for France in an eight-year run between 1990 and 1997, added that that Pape’s team of lawyers is considering a possible appeal. They will have two weeks or equivalent to 14 days to officially file their appeal once they have been handed the written notification of the 10-week suspension.

Pape’s suspension came after the French lock kneed Irish Jamie Heaslip in the back during Ireland’s 18-11 win over France in Dublin. Heaslip earned three fractured vertebrae from the incident and will have to sit out for four weeks, making him miss the rest of the Six Nations Championship matches.

The 47-year-old former French rugby union footballer-turned coach said that he is confident that Pape’s suspension would not affect the latter’s chances of representing France in the World Cup, which will take place from Sept. 18 to Oct. 31 in England. Saint-Andre regards Pape as a player “who is in perfect shape and knows what it’s like to play at the highest level,” in which Saint-Andre thinks is crucial for a rugby squad.

Saint-Andre’s squad currently has a 1-1 win-loss record in this season’s Six Nations Championships. France had a 15-8 opening round victory over Scotland on Feb. 7. In the second round on Feb. 14, where Pape was handed the yellow card following the Heaslip kneeing incident, France fell to an 18-11 defeat against Ireland.

France will face Wales in the squad’s next match on Feb. 28 at Stade de France. Then the French team will play against Italy in the fourth round on March 3 at Stadio Olimpico. In the fifth round, France will challenge England at Twinkenham Stadium on March 21. See full list of Rugby Union Six Nations Championships fixtures here.

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