Healy cops two-match ban

Ireland's Cian Healy will miss the Six Nations matches against Scotland and France after receiving a three-week ban for stamping on England's Dan Cole during last weekend's defeat in Dublin.

After Sunday's 12-6 loss at Lansdowne Road, prop forward Healy was cited and his case was heard by a disciplinary committee in London on Wednesday who suspended him until March 10.

Tempers flared in the 14th minute of England's victory when Healy used his boot on rival front row Cole's ankle at a ruck formed following a collapsed maul, sparking a mass brawl.

Match referee Jerome Garces of France took no action at the time, but Healy was cited by Italian citing commissioner Alberto Recadini.

Healy will now miss the matches away to Scotland (February 24) and at home to France (March 9) but will be available for Ireland's tournament finale against Italy in Rome on March 16.