Tom Wood and Jean-Luc du Preez handed bans

Northampton Saints' Tom Wood and Sale Sharks' Jean-Luc du Preez have been handed suspensions following the latest round of EPCR disciplinary hearing.

Wood was cited by citing commissioner for a dangerous tackle on Leinster flanker Josh Van der Flier in the 70th minute during the second round of the Heineken Champions Cup at Royal Dublin Society.

Even though he escaped punishment during the game, the disciplinary committee deemed his act warranted a red card for a breach of Law 9.20(b), which states: “A player must not make contact with an opponent above the line of the shoulders.’

The committee deemed his offence warranted a four-week suspension that was reduced by a week following guilty plea, conduct during hearing and other mitigating factors. He will now be free to resume playing from 11th January.

Meanwhile, du Preez was sin-binned during Sale's 15-16 defeat against Edinburgh for striking Hamish Watson with his shoulder in the 70th minute.

His act deemed six-week ban that was reduced by two weeks taking into account his past disciplinary record and other mitigating factors and can now resume playing from 18th January.