Sale Sharks fly-half Lee Thomas has been banned for 14 weeks by the Rugby Football Union after being found guilty of striking an opponent.
Sale back suspended for 14 weeks
Sale Sharks back Lee Thomas has been hit with a 14-week suspension by the Rugby Football Union for striking an opponent.
Thomas was found guilty of punching Shaun Berne during Sales Guinness Premiership tie at Edgeley Park on Mark 28.
Berne needed emergency dental treatment after the incident, with the Australian losing three teeth.
Welshman Thomas was handed the lengthy ban after facing an RFU disciplinary panel meeting in Leeds on Tuesday.
The 23-year-old can appeal the ban which will see him sit out the rest of the season, then games between August 22 and October 17.
Sale Sharks chief executive James Jennings said: "Sale Sharks are extremely disappointed with the outcome of the disciplinary hearing on Lee Thomas that took place last night.
"The written decision of the RFU disciplinary panel will be issued in the next few days and once we are in receipt of the paperwork, the club, on behalf of Lee Thomas will review our position."
