Thursday 7 December 2017 10:08, UK
London Irish captain David Paice has been handed a five-week ban following his red card against Gloucester.
The 34-year-old was sent off just before half-time in Saturday's 39-15 Aviva Premiership defeat for dangerous charging and making contact with the head of opposing skipper Willi Heinz.
Paice appeared before an independent disciplinary panel on Wednesday - where he pleaded guilty to the charge - and the Rugby Football Union confirmed the punishment.
The chairman of the panel Aidan O'Brien said: "The panel found that this was a reckless challenge in which contact was made with the head of the Gloucester player causing an injury.
"The entry point was mid-range, one week was added on to reflect the player's previous disciplinary record and, after allowing mitigation to reflect the player's guilty plea, remorse and conduct at the hearing, the final sanction is five weeks. The player is free to play on 9 January 2018."
