Clermont Auvergne lock Jamie Cudmore has received a five-week ban after being sent off in last weekend's Heineken European Cup clash against Munster.

The Canadian international was dismissed by English referee Chris White for punching Ireland lock Paul O'Connell.

The latter was yellow-carded for retaliating.

A three-man independent disciplinary committee met in London today, suspending Cudmore after deciding his offence was "mid-range" in its level of seriousness for striking.

Cudmore, who has the right of appeal, is banned from December 13th up to, and including, January 18th.