North's knock-out free to play

 

Fijian Hughes was sent off after colliding with North as the Northampton wing scored a try in Wasps' 52-30 Premiership defeat on March 27, which led to the Wales wing being stretchered off.

 

Finding Hughes guilty of "recklessness", if not intent, an RFU disciplinary panel banned him for three weeks, but on Friday panel chairman Jeremy Summers overturned the decision and rescinded the red card.

 

"The appeal panel considered it appropriate to hear the matter afresh," Summers said in a statement.

 

"Having done so and having had the advantage of evidence not before the original panel, it concluded that no act of foul play took place in that the incident occurred accidentally."

 

Hughes is now free to play, although he will not feature against relegated London Welsh on Saturday, having been omitted from the team Wasps named on Friday due to his suspension.

 

"We are delighted for Nathan that he has had the red card dismissed," said Wasps rugby director Dai Young.

 

"He is a good guy, who has always had a clean record and I am pleased for him that that remains."

 

North, who was concussed in the incident, has been advised by neurologists not to play for a month.