Leinster to keep Spicer despite guilty plea for assault

Leinster Rugby has retained second row Alan Spicer for their academy this season despite his guilty plea for assaulting a woman earlier this year. The incident occurred on March 1st at a Dublin nightclub, where Spicer flicked a plastic cup into the face of a woman in her 20s, causing dental injuries. He pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and paid €10,000 in compensation to the victim, who suffered a cut lip and bleeding as a result.

Judge Treasa Kelly noted the victim was left shocked and distressed but accepted Spicer's admission of guilt. Judge Kelly applied the Probation of Offenders Act, allowing Spicer to remain a Leinster player for the season. Leinster CEO Shane Nolan confirmed that Spicer is still a member of the team, while emphasizing that the club has a strict code of conduct for its players.

Nolan stated that an internal disciplinary process was carried out following the court proceedings, and that all academy players are made aware of their responsibilities.