News

Novès not sweating Kelleher citing

Wednesday 15th October 2008

In the dock: Byron Kelleher

Toulouse coach Guy Novès is confident scrum-half Byron Kelleher will escape a charge of stamping and be available to play in Friday night's Heineken Cup clash at Glasgow.

The former New Zealand international is due to appear before an independent disciplinary committee on Thursday after being cited for stamping on Bath fly-half Butch James during Sunday's 18-16 Pool Five win over the English side.

He could receive a ban that would sideline him for the trip to Scotland for Toulouse's second match in this season's competition.

Novès claims James was deliberately trying to slow play down and that Kelleher was simply rucking his opponent in an attempt to get quick ball.

"I don't understand this citing - it is a lot of fuss over nothing," said Novès.

"Byron was trying to ruck, it's true, but only because of the illegal move by James - a move that was penalised by the referee, who held up his arm, played advantage and then finished by returning to give the penalty once the ball had been spilled on the other wing.

"I am not worried. Byron will make the trip to Glasgow with the squad."

Even if Kelleher escapes sanction, he is set to be on the bench on Friday, with France international Jean-Baptiste Elissalde expected to start at scrum-half as Novès rotates his large squad.