Gloucester's Henry Walker suspended for three games

Gloucester Rugby hooker Henry Walker has been handed a three-week suspension following the latest round of the Heineken Champions Cup against Leinster at RDS Arena.

Walker was yellow carded in the 36th minute for a dangerous tackle on Josh van der Flier as the Cherry and Whites went down 0-57.

He appeared before an independent judicial officer Roddy Macleod and was found guilty of breaching World Rugby Law 9.13 that deals with dangerous tackling.

"As Walker had accepted the charge, the independent Judicial Officer considered the matter on written submissions, he determined that the offending was at the mid-range of World Rugby’s sanctions and six weeks was selected as the appropriate entry point," read a statement.

"Due to the player’s clear disciplinary record and his guilty plea, it was decided to grant him the full 50% mitigation and the Judicial Officer therefore reduced the sanction by three weeks before imposing a three-week suspension."

Walker's ban could be reduced by a week if he successfully completes a World Rugby intervention programme which could see him resume playing by 2nd January.