France prop Mohamed Haouas suspended for three weeks

France prop Mohamed Haouas has been handed a three-week ban following a red-card incident in the recently concluded Six Nations game against Scotland.

The 26-year-old was sent-off at the stroke of half-time in the game at Murrayfield Stadium for a strike on the face of Scotland flanker Jamie Ritchie and the decision proved costly for the Les Bleus as they succumbed to a 28-17 defeat - their first in the tournament.

Haouas appeared before the independent disciplinary committee and pleaded guilty to the charges. As a result, he was handed a six-week ban that was reduced into half following his guilty plea, conduct during hearing and other mitigating factors.

"The Disciplinary Committee found that the act of foul play warranted a mid-range entry point (six weeks suspension) and reduced that by three weeks to take account of mitigating factors (including good conduct, guilty plea and relative inexperience at international level)," read a statement from the Six Nations organisers.

"Given his playing schedule, he is free to resume playing on Tuesday, April 14, 2020."

France are positioned second in the Six Nations table with three wins from four matches with their final round clash against Ireland originally scheduled to be played in Paris on 14th March now postponed due to the outbreak of coronavirus.