French prop serves 'ban' in lockdown

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Montpellier prop Mohamed Haouas, who picked up a three-week ban for punching in France’s Six Nations match against Scotland, will be deemed to have served his sentence during the coronavirus lockdown.

Haouas, 25, was sent off after striking Scotland flank Jamie Ritchie in the March 8 Test, a match the French went on to lose 28-17 after picking up three wins from their opening three games.

The prop, French rugby federation said, , will be able to play again “as soon as the sporting season resumes”.

The Top 14, France’s elite Rugby Union division, came to a halt on March 13 as the COVID-19 outbreak swept the globe.