Du Plessis slapped with season-ending ban

The ban was slapped on him for elbowing an opponent, dealing a major blow to Montpellier's Top 14 title hopes.

The 23-year-old was handed a four-week suspension for the incident which occurred in the game against La Rochelle on April 30, the French National Rugby League's disciplinary commission said.

Du Plessis will definitely miss Saturday's play-off opener against defending champions Racing as well as the semifinal with Clermont should Montpellier get that far.

He was only yellow-carded for "dangerous play" in the 69th minute of the game against La Rochelle.

Agence France-Presse