Exeter Chiefs’ Josh Iosefa-Scott Receives Three-Match Ban

Exeter Chiefs prop Josh Iosefa-Scott has been suspended for three matches. The ban follows an incident on Saturday during their Premiership Rugby Cup match, where he struck Robbie Smith of Hartpury in the face. The event occurred after the 28-year-old player had initially been penalized for a foul on Hartpury full-back Alex Morgan during the Chiefs’ 54-3 victory. The Rugby Football Union (RFU) characterized the action as a “strike (possibly punch).” Iosefa-Scott was shown an immediate yellow card, subsequently grappled with an opposition player, and then received a second yellow card, leading to a red card. The RFU report states: “As the ball is being contested at a ruck, Exeter 17 Josh Iosefa-Scott enters and clears out Hartpury 15 Alex Morgan from the back of the breakdown but is penalised by the referee for his entry. Hartpury 12 Robbie Smith walking back to the penalty taps Exeter 17 on his behind. There is a reaction from Exeter 17 and he strikes Hartpury 12 to the face with some force and then follows this by grabbing the player by his shirt. A number of other players then get involved but no obvious acts of foul play take place.” As a result, Iosefa-Scott will miss Exeter’s Premiership fixtures against Gloucester and Bath. He will also be unavailable for their European Champions Cup opener at Sharks on Saturday, 7 December. He has made five appearances for the Chiefs this season.