Munster have defended Gavin Coombes after a URC citing commissioner cleared Tadhg Furlong of any wrongdoing.

Furlong was cited following Leinster’s interpro win over Munster at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, but the win wasn’t without controversy. Munster No. 8 Gavin Coombes reported to referee Andrew Brace that Tadhg Furlong grabbed him in the genital area during the first half of the game.

The incident was brought to the TMO, Colin Stanley, but officials couldn’t find a satisfactory angle in time, so the incident went unpunished.

Munster reported the incident afterwards, and Furlong was duly cited as he stood before an independent disciplinary committee comprising Simon Thomas (Wales), Attie Heyns (South Africa) and Pamela Woodman (Scotland).

The panel ‘unanimously concluded that the citing complaint against the Player should be dismissed, on the basis that he did not commit an act of foul play contrary to Law 9.27’, and freed up Furlong to play in Ireland’s Nations Championship games next month against Argentina, Fiji and South Africa.

Despite dismissing his complaint, the panel said Coombes gave ‘an honest account of his recollection of events surrounding the incident.’

Munster have now issued a statement defending Coombes, saying they acknowledge the disciplinary panel’s decision, but ‘Gavin Coombes continues to have the full backing of the club.’

Munster Rugby Interim CEO Avan Lee said: ‘The priority this week was to back Gavin and for the club to stand behind him, and that position has not changed.

‘We believe it is important that independent disciplinary proceedings are allowed to conclude without unhelpful commentary from people with a clear influence over public perception. Respect for that process, and consideration for everyone directly involved, should be paramount.’