Uini Atonio is set to miss the rest of France’s Six Nations title defence after being handed a three-week ban for his high tackle on SA-born Ireland hooker Rob Herring.
Tighthead prop Atonio, 32, was shown a yellow card for a first-half hit that left Irish hooker Rob Herring concussed in Saturday’s defeat to Ireland.
The citing commissioner found that the La Rochelle anchor should have been shown a red card and he appeared before an independent disciplinary committee on Wednesday.
“The player admitted that he had committed an act of foul play worthy of a red card,” the Six Nations said.
“Having acknowledged there were no aggravating factors and mitigating factors including the player’s immediate admission of guilt, his exemplary disciplinary record and genuine remorse, the committee reduced the six-week entry point by three weeks, resulting in a sanction of three weeks,” they added.
Atonio could have his suspension reduced by a week so as to be able to make his 50th Test appearance against Wales on 18 March if he successfully completes a coaching programme.
© Agence France-Presse
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