Italy's Sara Tounesi banned for 12 weeks following a biting incident

Italy lock Sara Tounesi has been handed a 12-week ban following a biting incident in the recently concluded World Cup fixture against Japan in Auckland.

Tounesi was cited by the citing commissioner for biting an unnamed opponent during the game against Japan which they went on to win with a 21-8 margin.

She appeared before World Rugby's independent judicial committee and the decision was upheld. Tounesi has been handed two days to appeal against the decision.

"The committee concluded that the player bit a Japanese player, which ... merited a red card," said the statement.

As a result, the 27-year-old will now miss the quarter-final game against France on 29th October and any further games in the competition should Italy progress.

The winner of Italy and France will be facing either of Wales or New Zealand in the semi-final to be played at Eden Park on 5th November.