France’s Pascal Papé has lost his appeal against the 10-week ban he received for kneeing Jamie Heaslip during Ireland’s 19-11 RBS 6 Nations win.
However, the appeals committee dismissed his appeal.
"The Appeal Committee, having considered submissions on behalf of the player and on behalf of the Six Nations Disciplinary Officer, dismissed the appeal with the result that the original sanction of a 10-week suspension stands, with Pascal Pape able to return to play on 18 May 2015," organisers said in a statement.
Pascal was initially shown a yellow card by referee Wayne Barnes for the incident, in which three of Heaslip’s vertebrae in his back were fractured. Heaslip missed Ireland’s win over England on Sunday and faces a race to be fit in time for Ireland’s next game against Wales, on Saturday week.
Papé apologised to Heaslip on Twitter, with the Leinster star fully accepting the message, ahead of the initial disciplinary proceedings.
Heaslip accepted Papé's apology, by tweeting: "@pascalPapé thanks for your message. It's a physical game that we play and these things happen. I fully accept your apology."
