Rugby Coach Alan Paver Banned Six Matches After Slapping Opponent in Championship Clash
- A tense Championship clash took an unexpected turn when emotions spilt over from the touchline into the field of play
- A long-serving coach with a clean record now faces the consequences of a rare lapse in judgment
- The fallout from the incident has left the club navigating a crucial stage of the season without one of its key leaders
A rugby coach has been handed a six-match ban after assaulting an opposition player during a heated Championship encounter.
Source: Getty Images
Alan Paver, the joint-head coach of Cornish Pirates, received the suspension after admitting to slapping a rival player. The incident occurred in the final 10 minutes of the clash against Worcester Warriors, following a melee on the field.
According to BBC Sport, the confrontation began when Will Reed attempted to stop a Pirates player from retrieving the ball for a quick penalty. Paver then entered the field of play and, when Jake Garside intervened, he slapped him. Worcester went on to secure a 29-7 victory at Mennaye Field in Penzance.
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Disciplinary ruling and ban details
Paver was charged with conduct prejudicial to the interests of the game, with the offence deemed to be at the high end of seriousness. A disciplinary panel initially imposed a 12-match suspension but reduced it by 50 per cent due to his admission of guilt and previously clean record.
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The ban means Paver will miss the remainder of the regular season and the first round of the playoffs if the Pirates finish in the top six. If the team fails to qualify, the suspension will carry into their first pre-season fixture.
Under the terms of the sanction, he is also prohibited from being with the team for an hour before any match.
"I have been coaching for over 14 years and have maintained a completely clean disciplinary record throughout that time," Paver said.
"I fully recognise that my actions do not align with the values of the game or the standards expected of me as a coach."
Source: Getty Images
Eben Etzebeth set for return after ban
Meanwhile, Eben Etzebeth is set for an emotional return to rugby following a 12-week suspension. The Springboks and Sharks star, who is the most capped player in South African rugby history, was sidelined after a controversial eye-gouging incident in November 2025.
The two-time Rugby World Cup winner received a straight red card during South Africa’s victory over the Wales national rugby union team on the end-of-year tour. The 34-year-old was later found guilty of eye-gouging flanker Alex Mann and handed a suspension, which is now nearing its conclusion.
Springboks vs All Blacks tickets sell fast
Briefly News previously reported that tickets for one of the most anticipated rugby clashes in the world are selling fast, with fans scrambling to secure their seats for the Springboks versus All Blacks series in South Africa.
Following a pre-sale period for registered buyers, general ticket sales opened this week, with Cape Town attracting the highest demand.
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Source: Briefly News
