IRISH tight head prop Peter Clohessy, suspended for 26 playing weeks after being cited for stamping on Olivier Roumat in the international between Ireland and France a fortnight ago, has been fined his £3,000 match fee by the IRFU and his playing contract has been terminated.

That decision was in line with expectations after the suspension was imposed on the player by match commissioner Alan Hosie (Scotland).

The cancellation of the contract was automatic as obviously, in view of the suspension, Clohessy is unable to comply with the terms embraced in it.

Commenting on the union decision, Clohessy said last night: "My initial reaction is that I would like to state again that I regret the incident. I am very glad that the matter is now over. I accept the decision of the IRFU without reservation, in the circumstances, their reaction is understandable. I will now try and keep fit and it is my intention to resume playing as soon as I have served the suspension. That will be a long haul, but it has not diminished my will to play again."

The IRFU made the decision at a meeting of the committee held yesterday. The meeting, in fact, had been arranged to discuss the structure of the season in Ireland.

The union issued the following statement: "The IRFU, at its full committee meeting on February 29th, 1996, discussed the incident involving Peter Clohessy in the France v Ireland Five Nations Championship match at Parc des Princes on 17th February 1996.

"It was noted that, in the first instance, it was the IRFU, together with the FFR who took immediate action under section 26n (3) (b) to cite the player. Having cited the player the IRFU was automatically bound by the findings of Match Commissioner Mr Alan Hosie.

"The committee endorses the action taken to suspend Peter Clohessy from the game for 26 playing weeks and reiterates the earlier statement by Dr Syd Millar, president of the IRFU, in unreservedly condemning all foul and dangerous play.

"At the meeting, the committee agreed that the player's contract with the IRFU would be terminated forthwith and that his match fee for the Ireland v France international be forfeited."

. Scotland's Ken Logan suffered a further blow to his international career yesterday when a suspected broken finger forced him off the replacements' bench for tomorrow's Calcutta Cup clash against England at Murrayfield.

The Stirling County wing suffered the injury during a training session yesterday and his place goes to Cameron Glasgow of Heriot's FP.