Lions hooker Dan Sheehan has been banned for four games, reducible to three if he completes World Rugby’s coaching intervention, after a reckless ruck clearout in the final Test against Australia.
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The 26-year-old was cited for a first-half clearout that made contact with Australia fly-half Tom Lynagh’s head. Lynagh, 22, later left the field after failing a head injury assessment, but the officials didn’t spot it during the game.
World Rugby ruled Sheehan’s actions “reckless”, breaching the law on charging into a ruck or maul.
If he completes the coaching intervention, Leinster’s hooker will miss a pre-season clash with Cardiff and two URC matches against South African sides Stormers and Sharks. He’ll be back in action on 18 October against Munster.
Sheehan was a standout on the tour, scoring a try in the second Test at the MCG and even captaining the side when Maro Itoje went off.
The ban might have little impact on Leinster, as he would have likely been rested for the early URC games after the Lions tour.
Australia’s win in Sydney denied the Lions a 3-0 series sweep, something the tourists haven’t achieved since 1927 in Argentina.
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“Goodbye Caterpillar ruck” – Four more rugby law changes for 2025
Rugby thrives on a mix of tradition and evolution, but some laws may no longer serve the game as effectively as they once did.
As the sport grows faster, stronger, and more tactical, certain laws stand out as ripe for reconsideration—not to upend the game, but to make it fairer, safer, and more exciting.
We highlight four specific laws that, with thoughtful updates, could better reflect the way rugby is played today. These ideas come from a deep respect for the game and a desire to see it flourish for players and fans alike.
World Rugby has shown it’s willing to adapt in recent years—these could be the next steps in that evolution.
1. Fewer Substitutions
Rugby has changed significantly over the years, and one of the biggest shifts is how the bench is used. These days, teams often bring on almost an entirely new forward pack late in the game. Big, fresh players crash into tired defenders, making the final 20 minutes less about skill and endurance, and more about brute force. Many fans and former players feel this has turned rugby into a collision sport rather than a contest of stamina and intelligence.
Reducing the number of substitutions would encourage players to pace themselves. Space would open up in the second half, creating more opportunities for creative play rather than endless phases of pick-and-go. It would reward fitness, smart decision-making, and those capable of performing for the full 80 minutes.
Fewer substitutions wouldn’t just make the game more exciting—it would make it fairer, safer, and more in line with the spirit of what rugby has always been about.
With the rise of 6–2 and even 7–1 bench splits, pioneered by Rassie Erasmus, the trend seems to be heading in the opposite direction. That’s all the more reason to act now.