Wales lock Ian Evans will miss the entire Six Nations after being hit by a 12-week ban.
The Ospreys lock was sent off by French referee Romain Poite in the 20th minute of the Heineken Cup game against Leinster last Friday for stamping on his opposite number Mike McCarthy.
In upholding the red card decision, the Judicial Officer stated that the incident involved at least two stamps which connected with McCarthy’s head and which resulted in a serious facial wound.
He pleaded guilty to the offence at the hearing in Dublin today but the ban means he will not be able to help Wales defend their Six Nations crown.
The period of suspension runs over 13 weeks as the Judicial Officer chose to take into account one week during the Six Nations period when the player would not have played. Evans is therefore free to play on 21 April 2014.