Maestri free, Taumalolo banned

France lock Yoann Maestri escaped suspension while Tonga prop Sona Taumalolo was banned at a disciplinary hearing in London on Tuesday.

The duo attended the hearing after being red carded for allegedly striking each other, contrary to Law 10.4 (a), in France’s 38-18 win in Le Havre at the weekend .

The disciplinary committee chaired by Antony Davies (England), alongside Barry O'Driscoll and Pat Barriscale (both Ireland), having listened to representations from and on behalf of both players and watched the video evidence of the incident in question, suspended Taumalolo for four weeks.

In the case of Maestri, however, the committee held that the red card was a sufficient sanction and imposed no further sanction.

Both players had accepted prior to the hearing that their actions had warranted a red card and the committee deemed that Taumalolo's offence was in the mid-range of the International Rugby Board's sanctions (five weeks), allowing one week off for mitigating factors.

Taumalolo is free to resume playing on December 16 and has the right of appeal.