French under-20 prop gets four weeks

NEWS ROUND-UP:FRENCH PROP Sebastien Taofifenua has been suspended for four weeks following an incident during the under-20 international against Ireland at Dubarry Park last Friday.

He appeared in London before an independent Six Nations disciplinary committee, having been cited, under Law 10.4 (j) for dangerous play, a charge to which the player pleaded guilty.

The committee, chaired by Roger Morris (Wales), with Rob Flockhart and Paul Minto (both Scotland) alongside, found that the incident, in which the player lifted his opponent above the horizontal position when clearing out at a ruck causing the Ireland right wing to fall onto his neck and head area, merited an entry point in the mid-range of the IRB table of sanctions.

Taofifenua was suspended for four weeks, deeming his action to be reckless and noting his guilty plea, his impeccable previous disciplinary record and his conduct at yesterday’s hearing, but also taking into account the need for a deterrent in relation to this type of foul play.

The player, who has the right of appeal, is suspended from playing up to and including March 13th, 2011.

* TheOspreys have handed a new two-year contract to winger Kristian Phillips.

The 20-year-old Tonmawr product is the youngest player to play in the Magners League and score a Magners League try, having set both records on his debut as a 17-year-old against Connacht in May 2008, and his new deal will keep him at the Liberty Stadium until 2013.

Phillips has scored four tries in 13 total appearances and was part of the extended Wales squad for the 2010 Six Nations championship.

A delighted Phillips said yesterday: “It’s great news for me, I’m really pleased that I’m going to be able to continue my rugby development here for the next two years.

“It’s a commitment from me to my home region, and it’s good to see the commitment from the Ospreys coaches who are putting their faith in me to continue improving.”