Pape appeal dismissed

Editor

Pascal Papé's appeal against his 10-week ban for striking Jamie Heaslip has been dismissed, meaning the lock will be out until May.

The French second row was suspended following France's defeat in Ireland a fortnight ago, but appealed against his ban for the knee to Heaslip's back, which saw the Irishman miss Sunday's win over England.

The appeal of Pape was heard today at London Heathrow before an independent Six Nations Appeal Committee, chaired by Roger Morris (Wales), together with Antony Davies (England) and Mike Hamlin (England). The independent Six Nations Disciplinary Committee had originally found that Mr Pape had committed an act of foul play under law 10.4(a) of World Rugby's laws of the game (striking with the knee) in the RBS 6 Nations match between Ireland and France on 14 February 2015 and consequently imposed a ten-week suspension. Mr Pape appealed against the sanction.
 
The Appeal Committee, having considered submissions on behalf of the player and on behalf of the Six Nations Disciplinary Officer, dismissed the appeal with the result that the original sanction of a ten-week suspension stands, with Pape able to return to play on 18 May 2015.

As a result Papé will be out of action until the final week of the Top 14 season, although he will potentially be available for the play-offs with Stade Français.