The player was cited for his yellow card offence against Leinster in Dublin last week.

The sanction imposed on the player was reduced from 10 to 8 weeks due to his clean record.

The Pro14 indicated that due to Nche making contact with the head of Fergus McFadden he received the maximum sentence for the offence.

“A Disciplinary Committee met in Edinburgh (Scotland) to consider the citing complaint against Nche (No 1) of the Toyota Cheetahs which occurred against Leinster Rugby on Friday, March 1, 2019 in which the Player was shown a yellow card for an incident in the ninth minute involving Leinster No 11 (Fergus McFadden).

“The player was reported by the Citing Commissioner in charge for alleged infringement of Law 9.12 – A player must not physically abuse anyone and Law 9.25 – A player must not intentionally charge or obstruct an opponent who has just kicked the ball.

“Please note this was originally notified in the press notice as Law 9.13 and Law 9.25.

“The Disciplinary Committee comprising of Sheriff Kathrine Mackie (Chair), Roddy MacLeod and Ian Douglas (All Scotland), concluded that the player had committed an act of foul play involving contact to the head.

“In upholding the Citing Complaint, the Disciplinary Committee deemed that the offence merited a red card under Law 9.12 (Striking with the shoulder) and that the contact to the head was intentional with a top-end entry point of 10 weeks.

“The Committee took into account the Player’s previously clean disciplinary record and his good conduct and applied 20% mitigation which reduces the ban to eight weeks.

“To ensure the eight-week ban accounts for meaningful matches played by the Toyota Cheetahs in the Guinness PRO14 and the Currie Cup the player will be free to play from midnight on Sunday, May 19, 2019.”

Nche is the third Cheetahs player to receive a suspension in recent times after the lock Justin Basson was given a three-week ban for illegal cleaning at the ruck, and the centre Nico Lee received a heavy 13-week ban for clearing the contents of his nose onto an opposing player.

Nche has been reminded of his right to appeal.

The Cheetahs next game in the Pro14 is on 23 March when they face Scottish opponents in the form of the Glasgow Warriors in Scotland.

@MorganPiek OFM Sport