Tadhg Furlong is available for Ireland’s Nations Championship fixtures next month after a disciplinary committee dismissed an allegation that he grabbed Munster’s Gavin Coombes in the groin during Leinster’s 24–18 United Rugby Championship victory.

The panel unanimously found that the Ireland prop had not committed an act of foul play under Law 9.27. It also concluded that Coombes had given “an honest account of his recollection of events surrounding the incident”. The ruling therefore cleared Furlong without finding that Coombes had been dishonest in raising the allegation.

Coombes, the Munster back-row forward, reported the incident to referee Andrew Brace during the first half at Aviva Stadium. Television match official Colin Stanley could not find conclusive video evidence, but Furlong was subsequently cited.

The citing concerned Law 9.27, which prohibits conduct against the spirit of good sportsmanship, including grabbing, twisting or squeezing the genitals. Meeting on Thursday, the disciplinary panel of Simon Thomas of Wales, Attie Heyns of South Africa and Pamela Woodman of Scotland unanimously dismissed the complaint on the basis that Furlong had not breached that law.

That finding is distinct from the earlier assessment during the match: the television official could not identify conclusive footage, while the committee subsequently determined that Furlong had not committed the alleged foul play.

With no sanction imposed, the 33-year-old, a three-time British and Irish Lions tourist, remains available for selection for Ireland’s home matches against Argentina, Fiji and South Africa, followed by the finals weekend fixture at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium.