Two-week ban for Chris Hala’ufia

Chris Hala’ufia will miss London Irish‘s trip to Northampton on Saturday after being hit by a two-week ban following the Exiles’ clash with London Wasps on Sunday.
Despite a man-of-the-match display, the Tongan No.8 received a yellow card on the second half restart for leading into a challenge from Wasps hooker T Rhys Thomas with his elbow.
He was cited by citing officer Mike Rafter after the match and was charged last night for striking an opponent at a hearing in Coventry. He will be free to play again on March 12.
At the same hearing, Worcester Errie Claassens was ban for a week for his last-minute red card against Gloucester last Friday.
The Warriors were leading 23-22 at Kingsholm but on the last play of the game, as Jonny May broke down field, the South African full-back tripped the speedster to stop the action.
He received a straight red card while Gloucester were awarded a penalty try to eventually win the game 29-22.
He was charged for tripping an opponent and is free to play again on March 2.