IRELAND and Newcastle prop Nick Popplewell was last night banned for 30 days by the Rugby Football Union's national discipline committee for punching Bedford lock Scott Murray in a Courage League Two clash over three weeks ago.

The suspension, which runs from yesterday to May 21st and then resumes from August 16th to 22nd, means the Irish international misses the last two matches of this season, but no League fixtures at the start of next season.

The 33 year old former Lion was ordered to appear before the RFU disciplinary panel for bringing the game into disrepute.

Roy, Mariock, chairman of the disciplinary commission, studied the evidence at length and decided that Popplewell's act might merit further penalty.

It was thought he had escaped with a yellow card and a club fine - the yellow card meant Bedford could not cite him.

But the prop was trapped by the RFU's rule that allows the national panel to investigate "any conduct which is prejudicial to the interests of the game".

Newcastle rugby director Rob Andrew fined his old Lions colleague a week's wages - believed to be £1,000 - reprimanded him and warned him as to his future conduct over the incident.

Newcastle have 14 days to lodge an appeal and Andrew said:" We will be considering our position."

But they may decide that the ban should be served as there is no jeopardy to the club's newly won League One status.

Popplewell misses this week's matches against Waterloo and Rotherham, but as Newcastle are promoted the club will not, suffer. And he will be flee to play in their opening to flight game next season on August 23rd.

He will also be available to go on tours in the summer, when the first period of his suspension is over.