Du Plessis handed four-week ban

Montpellier lock Jacques du Plessis has been handed a four-week ban for elbowing an opponent, effectively ruling him out for the season.

The 23-year-old was only yellow-carded for "dangerous play" in the 69th minute of the game against La Rochelle on April 30.

However, the French National Rugby League's disciplinary commission decided to suspend Du Plessis for the incident.

It is a big blow to Montpellier's Top 14 title hopes as they will have to make do without their influential lock for Saturday's play-off opener against defending champions Racing as well as the semi-final with Clermont should Montpellier progress that far.