England flanker Lewis Moody will be available for England's entire Six Nations campaign after receiving a nine-week ban for his role in Saturday's mass brawl at Twickenham.
Moody, who became the first Englishman sent off at Twickenham, was handed the suspension by a Six Nations disciplinary committee at a hearing convened in London last night.
The 27-year-old Leicester flanker was sent off in the 77th minute after landing several punches during the fight which marred England's record 40-3 triumph over Samoa.
The initial flashpoint was Alesana Tuilagi's dangerous tackle on Mark Cueto, which saw the England winger taken out in mid-air and land head first on to the pitch.
Cueto launched a verbal volley at Tuilagi and when the Samoan responded with a punch Moody, who had originally intervened as peace-maker, waded in and the melee escalated.
Tuilagi was shown a red card for the tackle and Moody received his marching orders moments later.
Tuilagi, Moody's Leicester team-mate, received a six-week suspension for striking an opponent and for his dangerous challenge on Cueto, while Samoan outhalf Tanner Vili received a two-week ban, also for a dangerous tackle on the Sale winger.
Moody thus begins his second lay-off this season after already serving a six-week suspension for punching Leeds number eight Jordan Crane during a second-team game in September.
The maximum suspension for striking an opponent is one year and while a recent crackdown on violence by the game's authorities has resulted in tougher penalties, Moody's initial role as peacemaker is sure to have worked in his favour.
The Leicester forward will be available for England's opening Six Nations match against Wales on February 4th but his chances of making the line-up after missing out on so much game time - the ban ends the previous Sunday - are slim.
Leicester will be without Moody for the remainder of their Heineken European Cup pool matches, their Powergen Cup clash against Northampton on Saturday and four Guinness Premiership games.
Tuilagi will return in time for the Premiership clash with London Irish at the Madejski Stadium on January 8th. All three players admitted to the offences and have the right of appeal.
Meanwhile, Springboks skipper John Smit faces a disciplinary hearing in Paris today after being cited for elbowing France captain Jerome Thion in last Saturday's game at the Stade de France.
Lock Thion, who was taken to hospital with a fractured larynx and placed on a ventilator, will be sidelined for at least six weeks.
The incident occurred 12 minutes into the game won 26-20 by France when Smit charged at Thion and caught him in the throat with his elbow. The hearing, originally scheduled for Sunday, was adjourned until today after South African rugby officials asked for time to present the case. Hooker Smit faces a ban from two weeks up to a year.
Jonah Lomu's hugely anticipated arrival in Northern Hemisphere rugby may occur this Sunday as his new club, the Cardiff Blues, take on London Irish in the Powergen Cup.
Injury permitting, Blues coach Dai Young will be keen to give Lomu a run-out before the European Cup match against Calvisano on Saturday week.
New Zealand outhalf Daniel Carter has been named the International Rugby Board Player of the Year at the IRB Awards in Paris. The All Blacks swept the board, winning the Team of the Year award, with Graham Henry picking up the Coach of the Year award. New Zealand have won 11 of their 12 Test matches in 2005. In June, they whitewashed the Lions 3-0.
