Northampton's Tom Wood handed six-week ban

England international Tom Wood has been handed a six-week ban by the Rugby Football Union (RFU) disciplinary panel following his red card incident during the European Champions Cup play-off final against Stade Francais last week.

The 30-year-old was sent-off in the 63rd minute but despite the setback, Northampton Saints went on to win the encounter by 23-22 riding on a last gasp try from Ahsee Tuala and a conversion from Harry Mallinder.

Having appeared before an independent disciplinary hearing, Wood admitted to the offence where he was seen trampling on the head of Stade Francais full-back Djibril Camara.

The incident proved costly for the Northampton Saints flanker as he was left out of England's tour of Argentina in an anticipation of a lengthy ban.

A statement released by the RFU disciplinary panel read: "The committee upheld the red card decision and found that Wood's stamp resulted in reckless contact with Camara's head. The committee then decided that the offence was at the top end of World Rugby's sanctions and selected 12 weeks as the appropriate entry point.

"Taking into account Wood's guilty plea, expression of remorse and good disciplinary record, the committee reduced the sanction by the maximum of 50 per cent before imposing a six-week suspension."