Tincu loses appeal

Perpignan's continued participation in this season's Heineken Cup has been thrown into doubt after they failed to overturn an 18-week given to hooker Marius Tincu.

Perpignan's continued participation in this season's Heineken Cup has been thrown into doubt after they failed to overturn an 18-week given to hooker Marius Tincu.

The Romanian appealed after being banned for gouging Ospreys prop Paul James on 18 October.

“The committee found that Tincu had not demonstrated the original decision had been in error or should be overturned,” said a European Rugby statement.

Perpignan said there was insufficient evidence against him and called the punishment “grotesque”, and threatened to pull out of the European competition if the sanction was not reduced.