Dragons lock Douglas has red card overturned

Dragons lock Levi Douglas has avoided a suspension after his red card against Benetton was rescinded.

The 30-year-old was shown a yellow card that was upgraded to a 20-minute red in the first half of the United Rugby Championship (URC) draw with the Italians in Newport on 28 February.

Referee Eoghan Cross was alerted by the television match official to Douglas dangerously clearing out prop Thomas Gallo with a croc roll at a ruck in the 33nd minute.

Douglas, who had scored his first Dragons try earlier in the fixture, had a disciplinary hearing on Thursday where it was deemed that it should not have been a penalty.

"The panel overseeing the disciplinary process, Jennifer Donovan (chair), Mike Ross and Mark Curran (all Ireland) found that the actions of the player did not amount to an offence," read a URC statement.

Dragons trailed 10-7 at the time of the dismissal, but fought back to share the spoils with Benetton after a last-minute try by wing Fine Inisi, with Angus O'Brien's conversion from the left touchline going wide.

Tiatia's side have a URC double-header against Stormers and Lions in South Africa after the Six Nations before a trip to Stade Francais in the last 16 of the Challenge Cup on 5 April.

Well-travelled Douglas has proved to be a big hit since arriving at Rodney Parade from Biarritz last summer.

The powerful lock has played in 13 of 16 games, with eight of his appearances as a starter.

Dragons will welcome Ben Carter back from Wales duty and also have Seb Davies, Matthew Screech and Barny Langton-Cryer as options at lock.

Versatile forwards Ryan Woodman and Shane Lewis-Hughes have also previously slotted into the second row.