ENGLAND LOCK Courtney Lawes has been banned for two matches after being found guilty of recklessly striking Argentina hooker Mario Ledesma with his knee.

Lawes, the first player to be banned at the World Cup, is out of England’s Pool B matches against Romania and Georgia but he will be available to face Scotland on October 1st. The Northampton lock entered a not guilty plea when he appeared before a disciplinary hearing in Auckland, having been cited following England’s 13-9 win against the Pumas in Dunedin.

The offence carries a guideline ban of between three and 12 weeks – or matches in the World Cup context. Lawes’ offence was deemed to be “low end”.