Banahan banned for stamp

Bath winger suspended for two weeks by RFU chiefs

By Rachel Griffiths   Last updated: 12th December 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Banahan banned for stamp

Banahan: Banned for two weeks

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England winger Matt Banahan has been banned for two weeks by Rugby Football Union disciplinary chiefs.

Banahan was sent off for stamping on Northampton back Stephen Myler midway through the second half of his club Bath's 15-13 Guinness Premiership defeat to Saints on December 5.

The 22-year-old pleaded not guilty to the offence, but a three-man RFU panel chaired by Christopher Quinlan imposed a fortnight's suspension following a hearing in Bristol.

The ban means Banahan will be absent for home and away Heineken Cup fixtures with Edinburgh, both of which Bath must win to keep their European hopes alive.

Defeats

The temporary loss of the prolific try scorer is certain to come as a massive blow to Bath head coach Steve Meehan, with his side currently at the bottom of Pool Four after suffering defeats to Ulster and Stade Francais in earlier rounds.

Bath are also just three points away from landing in the Premiership basement, having not won in the league since September.

Banahan, who has scored three tries in five Test appearances for England and started all of the autumn internationals last month against Australia, Argentina and New Zealand, will be eligible to play again on December 21.