England international and British Lion Tom Youngs has been banned for four weeks for punching Wales squad member Will Rowlands.
The incident occurred in the 53rd minute of last weekend's Leicester Tigers v Wasps match.
Tigers hooker Youngs appeared before an independent disciplinary panel on Tuesday evening, charged with 'punching or striking' Wasps man Rowlands, contrary to World Rugby Law 9.12.
The player, who was cited after the game, accepted the charge and was given a four-week suspension by the independent panel comprising of Jeremy Summers (chair) and Nick Garling. He is free to play again on Tuesday, March 24, 2020.
Independent panel chair Summers said: "The player may have been reacting to an unintended contact with his body but the reaction was nevertheless uncalled for. The player accepted that it was one which let down the game.
"He has two previous matters on record from 2016 and 2019 as such he was not eligible to receive full mitigation. A suspension of four weeks was therefore imposed. The dates of suspension take in to account a free weekend for Leicester Tigers on the 14/15 March.”
Rowlands was with Wasps because Wales must release their England-based contingent during Six Nations fallow weeks and on occasions when they are not involved in matches.
He was a shock call-up to the squad ahead of the tournament but is yet to feature in a match.
