Head-butting Bordeaux lock banned

Ledevedec was handed a straight red card by referee, Peter Fitzgibbon (Ireland) for his act against Paul Jedrasiak in the 51st minute of the game, just minutes after he'd come on as a replacement.

The lock will now be able to play again on January 25 – missing the last two European group games for Bordeaux, who stand last in their Pool Two, with just six points and one victory from their four games to date.

The judicial officer, Simon Thomas (Wales), heard evidence and submissions by video conference from Ledevedec, who pleaded guilty to the offence, from the Bordeaux-Begles Chief Executive, Olivier Brouzet, the Bordeaux-Begles Director of Rugby, Raphael Ibanez, and from the EPCR disciplinary officer, Liam McTiernan.

In upholding the red card decision, the judicial officer found that Ledevedec had struck with the head, and determined that that offence was at the low end of World Rugby's sanctions and selected four weeks as the appropriate entry point.

He then reduced the sanction by the maximum of 50 percent taking into account the player's guilty plea, expression of remorse and clean disciplinary record, before imposing a suspension of two weeks.

* Meanwhile Pau centre Jale Vatubua has been suspended for one week following a disciplinary hearing.

Vatubua was cited by the match citing commissioner, Eugene Ryan (Ireland), for charging dangerously in to the Castres Olympique fullback Geoffrey Palis in the 51st minute of the rescheduled Round One match at Stade du Hameau last Saturday, January 9 – in contravention of Law 10.4 (g)

The player was shown a yellow card by referee Ian Davies (Wales), following the incident.

The judicial officer, Antony Davies (England), heard submissions and evidence from Vatubua, who pleaded guilty to the offence, from the Pau Director of Rugby, Simon Mannix, and from the EPCR disciplinary officer, Liam McTiernan.

In upholding the citing complaint, the judicial officer decided that the offence warranted a red card.

He determined that it was at the low end of World Rugby's sanctions and selected two weeks as the appropriate entry point.

He then reduced the sanction by the maximum of 50 percent taking into account the player's guilty plea, expression of remorse, clean disciplinary record, and youth and inexperience, before imposing a suspension of one week.

Vatubua is free to play on Monday, January 18.