16 May 2009

Quinlan to appeal ban

1:59 pm on 16 May 2009

The Munster flanker Alan Quinlan is to appeal against his 12-week ban in a bid to make the British and Irish Lions tour.

Quinlan was found guilty this week of making contact with the eye area of Leinster captain Leo Cullen in the recent Heineken Cup semi-final match.

The ban runs until 9 September, ruling the 34-year-old out of the Lions tour and the first game of next season.

Quinlan had been a surprise inclusion in Lions coach Ian McGeechan's squad.

The flanker had been picked ahead of the likes of Wales captain Ryan Jones and England's Tom Croft, who has been widely expected to be called up as his replacement.