Sale Sharks hooker Nathan Jibulu has been banned for six weeks after biting an opponent during their Investec Champions Cup last-16 defeat to Harlequins.
Jibulu admitted to the offence, which carries a minimum sanction of 12 weeks under World Rugby regulations.
The disciplinary panel applied the low-end entry point before reducing the suspension by 50% due to his remorse, inexperience and clean disciplinary record.
Jibulu will therefore miss Sale’s Champions Cup quarter-final clash against Leinster in Dublin on Saturday.
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Meanwhile, Toulon will be without Ma’a Nonu for their quarter-final against the Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun Stadium on Saturday.
The veteran centre was handed a three-week suspension on Tuesday for a dangerous tackle on Stormers replacement centre Wandisile Simelane in the 79th minute of their last-16 clash at Stade Mayol.
Nonu was initially shown a yellow card, but the incident was later reviewed and cited.
At an independent disciplinary hearing, the 43-year-old accepted that his actions warranted a red card. The panel upheld the citing, finding that he had contravened Law 9.13 by tackling Simelane dangerously.
World Rugby’s sanctions for such offences carry a mid-range entry point of six weeks, which was applied before being reduced by half due to Nonu’s clean record, acceptance of wrongdoing and expression of remorse.
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The former All Black is set to be sidelined until 27 April, although he could return a week earlier if he successfully completes World Rugby’s coaching intervention programme.
Both players and EPCR retain the right to appeal their sanctions.
Photo: Alex Davidson/Getty Images
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