Quinlan ban upheld

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The Ireland back row was banned for making contact with the eye area of Leo Cullen during Munster's Heineken Cup semi-final defeat by Leinster at Croke Park on May 2.

Quinlan exercised his right to appeal but an independent appeal committee on Wednesday found no reason to alter the original verdict or punishment.

An ERC statement read: "The committee found that Alan Quinlan had not demonstrated the original decision had been in error or that it should be overturned or varied.

"Accordingly the appeal committee dismissed the appeal and upheld the suspension imposed on the player of 12 weeks."

The outcome of Wednesday's appeal clears the path for Leicester back row Tom Croft to be promoted from the England squad to face the Barbarians and Argentina.

Croft, who was considered highly unlucky to be omitted from the initial Lions party, had already been named on the standby list and is the obvious replacement for surprise-pick Quinlan.

The abrasive Quinlan, 34, becomes the third player selected in last month's initial 37-strong Lions squad to be ruled out.

Quinlan's Munster colleague, scrum-half Tomas O'Leary, broke his ankle three days after the party was announced and has subsequently been replaced by Scotland skipper Mike Blair. Wales centre Tom Shanklin then suffered a serious shoulder injury and faces four months out with the Lions management opting against plugging the gap.

A fourth player's involvement was also placed in doubt on Wednesday when it was revealed Shanklin's Wales team-mate Leigh Halfpenny will not depart with the squad for South Africa on Sunday.