France captain Fabien Pelous said he is unlikely to appeal a nine-week suspension from the game which was handed down by the disciplinary commission of the IRB.
The sanction follows his elbowing of Australian hooker Brendan Cannon in the face during Saturday's Test match in Marseille which France eventually won 26-16.
Pelous, France's second-highest cap winner, admitted prior to the hearing he had been guilty of "an idiotic" gesture.
The Toulouse lock said he accepted full responsibility for the incident. "I'll take it like an adult. I made a mistake and I accept it," said Pelous.
The lock escaped any punishment on the day as neither the match referee nor the linesmen saw the off-the-ball incident. But television pictures clearly showed Pelous' elbow making full contact with Cannon's face off the ball.
The Frenchman had hoped the commission would take into account a largely unblemished previous record, and added: "The judge listened to our side of the story and agreed that it wasn't an act which I'm known for."
I accept it. I'm sorry for my teammates in the France and Toulouse teams."
Pelous has 48 hours in which to appeal the IRB decision although he said he is unlikely to.
