DISCIPLINARY DECISION: IAIN HENDERSON (ULSTER)

A Disciplinary Hearing has occurred related to the Red Card received by Ulster player Iain Henderson (No 4) during his team’s Round 17 BKT United Rugby Championship fixture with DHL Stormers on Friday, May 8, 2026 and has resulted in a three-game suspension. 

Under Law 9.20 (d) – A player may remove the jackler from the tackle area, but must not roll, pull or twist an opponent – the Player was shown a yellow card by referee Andrea Piardi (FIR) in the ninth minute of the match that was subsequently upgraded to a 20-minute Red Card after review.

The Player appeared in front of an Independent Disciplinary Committee, comprising of Roddy MacLeod (Chair), Alasdair Craig and Jonathan Rennie (all Scotland), and accepted that he had committed an act of foul play that warranted a Red Card.

The Independent Disciplinary Committee deemed that the act of foul play was reckless and merited a mid-range entry point of six weeks for sanctioning.

When applying mitigation, the Committee considered the player’s previous good record (one suspension in a 15-year playing career), his remorse and immediate concern for the opponent player plus his good conduct and full co-operation with the Disciplinary process.

As such, the Player was afforded the full 50 per cent mitigation (three weeks) which reduces the length of the suspension to three weeks. The matches the Player will miss is dependent on Ulster’s progress in the Play-Off rounds of the United Rugby Championship.

Fixtures Iain Henderson is unavailable for

Ulster v Glasgow Warriors, May 15, R18 BKT URC

Ulster v Montpellier Hérault, May 22, EPCR Challenge Cup Final

Ulster v TBC, May 30, Quarter-Final BKT URC*

Australia v Ireland, July 4, Nations Championship**