Romain Taofifenua suspended for 3 weeks

Toulon lock Romain Taofifenua has been banned for three weeks after kicking Stuart Olding in the head during the French side's Champions Cup win over Ulster last weekend.

After hearing evidence in Dublin from Taofifenua and Toulon’s legal representative John O’Donnell SC, independent judicial officer Christopher Quinlan (England) upheld the citing complaint.

He found the offence to have been “reckless” but at the lower end of the scale for a breach of Law 10.4 (c): Kicking an opponent.

He imposed a four-week ban but “reduced the suspension by one week due to the player’s good conduct during the hearing”.

Taofifenua has the right to appeal but as things stand he is free to play from November 17th, 2014.

Olding had to leave the field after the incident in the 47th minute of the 23-13 defeat for the Irish province.