Bundee Aki has been suspended for Connacht's next four games in the Challenge Cup and PRO14 Rainbow Cup following his sending off for Ireland against England last Saturday.
The centre was shown the red card by ref Mathieu Raynal in the 63rd minute for a high tackle on Billy Vunipola, England's no 8.
The red card had been issued for an infringement of Law 9.13 - dangerous play during a tackle - and a disciplinary hearing heard submissions from Aki, Ireland head coach Andy Farrell, Aki's legal counsel Derek Hegarty and the Six Nations' legal representative.
Aki accepted that he had committed the act of foul play alleged and that it had warranted a red card.
While the disciplinary committee accepted Aki's explanation of the incident and that his intention was to perform a legitimate tackle, it was deemed the contact with Vunipola was just 'inches too high'.
The committee accepted that Mr Aki’s actions had been reckless rather than deliberate or intentional and determined it was a mid-range offence worthy of a six-week ban.
As Aki has previously been sent off for Ireland at the World Cup, the disciplinary committee did not allow the maximum 50% possible discount and reduced the suspension by a fortnight, but it is still bad news for Connacht.
