Dakuwaqa handed three week ban for Van der Flier tackle

Montpellier backrow Masivesi Dakuwaqa has been banned for three weeks after being sent off during his side's Champions Cup defeat to Leinster. The French outfit went on to lose the game by a margin of 89-7.

The Fiji international was shown red by referee Wayne Barnes in the 67th minute of the clash at the RDS for a dangerous tackle on Josh van der Flier. After referring the incident with his TMO, Barnes determined that Dakuwaqa made direct contact to the Leinster backrow's head with a high degree of force.

An independent disciplinary panel made up of three English representatives upheld the red card decision and determined a mid-level entry point of six weeks.

Dakuwaqa plead guilty to the charge and had a clear discplinary record coming into the hearing, factors which the panel factored into their decision to cut the suspension in half to three weeks.