Ireland prop John Hayes has been handed a six-week ban for stamping whilst playing for Munster.
Prop banned for six weeks but will be back for Ireland internationals
Munster and Ireland prop John Hayes will miss the start of Munster's Heineken Cup campaign after being banned from rugby for six weeks, but will be available for Ireland's November internationals.
Hayes was sent off on Saturday for stamping on the face of Leinster prop Cian Healy and was sanctioned by the IRFU at Ravenhill on Tuesday.
Hayes will miss Magners League games against Edinburgh and Ulster, on top of Munster's Heineken Cup matches against Treviso and Northampton Saints.
However, he will be available for his country as the ban ends a day before the start of Ireland's November series against Australia, Fiji and South Africa.
An IRFU panel of Hugh Logan, Stephen Hilditch and Neil Jackson convened in Belfast this evening where Hayes was handed his sanction.
"Having studied the match footage and heard all available evidence, the disciplinary panel confirmed that the offence constituted a high end entry level in terms of sanctions," the IRFU said.
"Having also considered all mitigating factors, the panel imposed a six week suspension from the date of the offence."
Hayes, who was called up to the British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa in the summer, has the right to appeal the decision.
