Scotland have decided to appeal against the 12-week ban imposed on flanker Martin Leslie after he was cited for kneeing an opponent during a World Cup match.
The New Zealand-born forward was banned until January 12th, 2004, on Wednesday after tournament judicial officer Terry Willis decided he had deliberately kneed US centre Jason Keyter in Monday's pool B match in Brisbane.
"Management of the Scotland rugby World Cup squad have tonight informed the appropriate authorities that they are appealing the decision to suspend their back-row forward Martin Leslie," said a statement on the Scottish Rugby Union website today.
Leslie, who will be 32 on Saturday when Scotland play France, pleaded not guilty to the charge, saying the contact was made accidentally as he tried to clear the American out of a ruck.
The punishment was the second longest in World Cup history after the 90-day ban handed out to South Africa winger Pieter Hendriks for his part in a brawl at the 1995 tournament.