Sale's JP du Preez suspended for three weeks

Sale Sharks second-row JP du Preez will miss the remainder of the ongoing 2020/21 season after he was handed a three-week ban.

The 27-year-old was cited for striking an opponent during the 58th minute of the game against Harlequins at AJ Bell Stadium last weekend.

Du Preez faced an independent disciplinary panel of Rugby Football Union on Tuesday and accepted guilty to the charges.

With Sale Sharks already booking a berth in the top four, du Preez will miss the final round clash of the regular season against Exeter Chiefs along with their play-off game. He will also be unavailable for the final encounter to be played at Twickenham Stadium on 26th June should Alex Sanderson's men win their semi-final fixture.

“Du Preez accepted the charge and was given a three-week suspension by the independent disciplinary panel comprising Ian Unsworth QC (chair), with Becky Essex and Rob Vickerman,” the RFU said.

“His free-to-play date will be determined by Sale’s confirmed fixture list.”