Northampton lock David Ribbans suspended for three weeks

Northampton Saints lock David Ribbans has been handed a three-week suspension following his red-card incident in the recently concluded Gallagher Premiership game against Exeter Chiefs.

Ribbans was sent-off in the 14th minute by referee Craig Maxwell-Keys for a high tackle on Exeter's Luke Cowan-Dickie and despite his absence the Saints came close to a victory before they were edged out by Rob Baxter's men 29-26 in the closely fought encounter at Franklin's Gardens.

He faced a disciplinary hearing on Monday and accepted guilty to a breach of World Rugby Law 9.13 that deals with dangerous tackling.

His three-week suspension meant, the 25-year-old will miss the final round of the Premiership game against Bath Rugby along with Northampton's pre-season games against Bedford and Ospreys.

Ribbans will be free to resume playing from 14th September.