Northampton prop Kieran Brookes handed two-week ban

Northampton Saints prop Kieran Brookes has been suspended for two weeks by the RFU disciplinary panel following his red-card sanction in the Aviva Premiership game against Newcastle Falcons at Franklin's Gardens last week.

The England international was sent off after making contact with the head of Newcastle flanker Scott Lawson while charging into a ruck.

Even though Brookes pleaded guilty the RFU disciplinary panel decided against reducing the ban to one week after his troubled disciplinary record.

Meanwhile, Newcastle lock Calum Green was also suspended for a week after striking Brookes with forearm in the same game.

An RFU statement read: "Both of these cases were considered low-end entry points by the panel, however Kieran Brookes does not have a clean disciplinary record and so the panel did not feel able to reduce the sanction to one week as they could in the case of Calum Green."

Brookes is allowed to return back to action after 13th December.

Cardiff Blues prop Anton Peikrishvili has been handed a six-week ban for a biting incident involving Ospreys flanker Rob McCusker while Scarlets back forward Jack Condy has been suspended for a week for hitting an opponent during the Anglo-Welsh Cup clash against Newport Gwent Dragons.

However, both the bans were backdated to 22nd November which means Condy is free to play in the coming week.