Liam Williams is set to miss the first round of Wales’ Six Nations campaign after being banned for three games after his red card while playing for the Scarlets against Cardiff Blues.
He was dismissed by referee Craig Evans after driving into a ruck with his head and making contact with the head of Blues flanker Shane Lewis-Hughes.
A disciplinary hearing saw the 70-cap back-three man assessed under law 9.20 (b) which says a player must not make contact with an opponent above the line of the shoulders.
The outcome is likely to mean Williams will have a watching brief for Wales’ Six Nations opener against Ireland on February 7.
One of the games covered by the suspension is set to be a clash between the Scarlets and Cardiff Blues the weekend after this one which is in the process of being arranged.
The Scarlets also play Leinster on January 30.
Williams sitting out the Ireland match would complete his ban.
He would then be available for Wales’ game with Scotland at Murrayfield on February 13.
The disciplinary hearing was presided over by judicial officer Sheriff Kathrine Mackie (SRU).
Williams accepted he had committed an act of foul play which warranted a red card. The incident was found to merit a mid-range entry point, which indicates a four-week suspension for this offence.
A statement issued by the PRO14 said: "The judicial officer determined that there were factors, including the player’s remorse, which warranted mitigation of one week.
"The player is suspended from participating in the next three meaningful fixtures for which he is fit and available for selection."
There had been concerns that Williams might cop a severe ban after saying to referee Evans following the red card: "We’ll start playing touch, is it?"
But the Lions Test starter from 2017 did say sorry to Lewis-Hughes on the pitch and is believed to have issued a round of apologies since.
