Jonny Hill banned for 10 weeks

[Puja]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union ... 5wyd7kdn2o

10 weeks from a starting point of 20 weeks (given mitigation of provocation), with 4 of them suspended, and backdated to the start of the season, so he'll be available for Sale from 7th December.

I think that sounds like a rare outbreak of common sense all around. It is a professional player striking a member of the public, so it's not something which can be ignored or swept under the rug and he did have to have the book thrown at him to some extent. However, it seems fairly clear that he didn't start it and we can all sympathise with someone losing their temper in that situation (and with the fact that he kept himself mostly under control rather than inflicting actual damage with a closed fist), so it seems like a fair result all around.

Puja

[Which Tyler]

Surely if it's 6 weeks, backdated to the start of the season, then shouldn't he be available immediately?


ETA: Sorry, I must have been mis-reading it, 10 +4 suspended, and everything suddenly makes sense.

[Puja]

Surely if it's 6 weeks, backdated to the start of the season, then shouldn't he be available immediately?

Huh. Good point. The RFU statement definitely says he's available from 7th, so he's missing the Leicester game after the international break, but I can't work out how that works.

Idk, maybe he was concussed and so one of those weeks doesn't count?

ETA upon seeing your ETA - Ah, that was my mistake in my summary - I thought it was 10 weeks with 4 of those weeks suspended and wrote accordingly, rather than 10+4. 10 weeks, including the cup games, makes sense.

Puja

[Slater582]

As I recall Jonny Hill was linked with a Top14 move last summer. Was it just a rumour or did that 'incident' at the Rec prevent his transfer?

Not a high bar but Hill looked more of a Test Lock than Ewels or Isiekwe.

[Puja]

As I recall Jonny Hill was linked with a Top14 move last summer. Was it just a rumour or did that 'incident' at the Rec prevent his transfer?

Not a high bar but Hill looked more of a Test Lock than Ewels or Isiekwe.

Distinctly possible, although you'd've thought being investigated by the police would lead to increased interest from Montpellier? Although maybe the fact that he hit a man rather than a woman took him away from their brand.

Talent wasn't his issue IIRC - his inability to keep his temper or his brain and giving away absurdly costly penalties under pressure was the problem. The fact that he's just come off a ban for losing his temper at a supporter doesn't encourage me that he's fixed that character flaw, although I suppose 10 weeks and a police investigation may have caused him to sort his act out and find whatever help can be found to manage a temperament flaw.

Just from performances, I'd have no issue with him returning to the EPS for the 6N. I'd certainly endorse Strange Behaviours having an up-close look at him, as well as encouraging him away from a French move with the news that he's still in contention.

Puja

[FKAS]

Johnny Hill never quite brought his best form to international rugby though he seemed on the verge of it a couple of times. He's got a good work rate and is a pretty hefty unit. Agree with you Puja it's the top two inches that have always been lacking.

[Mikey Brown]

Johnny Hill never quite brought his best form to international rugby though he seemed on the verge of it a couple of times. He's got a good work rate and is a pretty hefty unit. Agree with you Puja it's the top two inches that have always been lacking.

Yeah it was frustrating how close he looked to a breakthrough for a while there.

I imagine I'll always prefer Martin, but he is incredibly injury prone and there will be days you want a bit more heft than an Itoje/Chessum combo. Whether Hill has the temperament to make the most of his skills/physique, or the will to hang around as fourth choice with French offers on the table, I'm not sure.

[Danno]

I'll never forget him reversing a pen by hurling Faf de Klerk onto his arse well after the whistle had gone. He's borderline Lavanini

[FKAS]

Johnny Hill never quite brought his best form to international rugby though he seemed on the verge of it a couple of times. He's got a good work rate and is a pretty hefty unit. Agree with you Puja it's the top two inches that have always been lacking.

Yeah it was frustrating how close he looked to a breakthrough for a while there.

I imagine I'll always prefer Martin, but he is incredibly injury prone and there will be days you want a bit more heft than an Itoje/Chessum combo. Whether Hill has the temperament to make the most of his skills/physique, or the will to hang around as fourth choice with French offers on the table, I'm not sure.

Martin has got a dodgy knee, I suspect even in a good season he'll probably miss a week or two just for picking up a knock on it. He's doing what he calls prehab to manage it day to day.

[fivepointer]

We're not over stocked with big locks and Hill is a big lock. He's certainly good enough to be in the 6N squad and at 30 has a few years at his prime.

[Mr Mwenda]

No thanks to Jonny Hill, him and Ewels can go sit in a sinbin together somewhere.

[Puja]

I'll never forget him reversing a pen by hurling Faf de Klerk onto his arse well after the whistle had gone. He's borderline Lavanini

Yeah, that was the specific example that came to mind for me as well.

Puja