WALES lock Ben Carter is set to be suspended for just one Dragons game for a dangerous tackle due to this weekend’s Premiership semi-final – even though he hasn’t played for Newport for four years.

The 23-year-old was sent off in the 69th minute of the United Rugby Championship 34-27 defeat to Connacht at Rodney Parade last weekend.

With the teams level-pegging at 27-27, Carter caught wing Shane Jennings in the head with his shoulder and was dismissed by referee Federico Vedovelli after the footage was shown on the big screen.

Carter has been given a three-match suspension due to his good disciplinary record and apology, and a further game will be taken off when he completes a World Rugby coaching intervention programme.

South Wales Argus: Dragons lock Ben CarterDragons lock Ben Carter (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

The Dragons have exploited a situation to chalk off a fixture for Carter, who went off for a head injury assessment after the incident.

The URC have included the Premiership semi-final between Newport and Ebbw Vale in his suspension.

However, Carter’s rapid rise means that his only Black and Ambers appearance was against Bridgend when he scored a try in January, 2020.

He wouldn’t have played against the Steelmen but the Spytty Park fixture will mean that, after completing the coaching course, he will be able to line up against the Ospreys on May 18.

The Dragons are far from the only side to use such tactics.

Cardiff's Rey Lee-Lo was banned earlier this year with the URC accepting the Premiership clash between Newport and Cardiff RFC among the games he missed.

The Scarlets' Johnny Williams had a friendly against Exeter included as well as European, Six Nations and URC fixtures.

Carter made his comeback from a hamstring injury in March and will hope to put in big derby displays to force his way back into the Wales squad for the summer Tests against South Africa and Australia.