England captain Martin Johnson has been banned for three weeks after punching Saracens hooker Robbie Russell during a recent league match. The English RFU reached their decision in the early hours after a seven-and-a half hour meeting.
The clash between Johnson, who plays for Leicester, and Russell was caught on camera and showed the England skipper lashing out at the Scottish international. The incident left Russell needing six stitches to a nasty gash under his left eye. Both players were subsequently sin-binned.
After last night's hearing Johnson declined to comment on the ban but Leicester Rugby Director Dean Richards said the club would be considering the full implications of the verdict.
The ban means Johnson will now miss England's Six Nations clash with France in Paris on March 2. He has 14 days in which to appeal the suspension.
Filed by Tom Grealis
