Davies banned for seven weeks (From Harrow Times)

Davies banned for seven weeks

2:21pm Wednesday 8th February 2012 in National Sport © Press Association 2011

Wales lock Bradley Davies will miss the rest of this season's RBS 6 Nations Championship after receiving a seven-week ban.

Davies' suspension, announced by Six Nations organisers after a disciplinary hearing in London on Wednesday, comes following his citing for a reckless tip-tackle on Ireland replacement Donncha Ryan during last Sunday's clash in Dublin.

The Cardiff Blues forward, who has a right of appeal, cannot play again until March 26 - nine days after the tournament finishes.

A three-man disciplinary panel decided that Davies' offence merited a top-end entry point of a 10-week ban, with an additional two weeks applied for this type of foul play.

But mitigating factors - Davies' guilty plea, his previously good disciplinary record and his conduct at the hearing - saw a maximum reduction to the punishment of five weeks imposed.

Davies, 25, was cited by match commissioner, Italian Achille Reali, following the second-half incident at the Aviva Stadium.

Referee Wayne Barnes brandished a yellow card on the recommendation of his assistant Dave Pearson, but television replays revealed the full extent of Davies' actions, which should have undoubtedly warranted a straight red.

Even Wales coach Warren Gatland admitted that Davies was fortunate to avoid being sent off, so his ban should come as no surprise to a Welsh camp currently preparing for next Sunday's Six Nations appointment with Scotland in Cardiff.

The Six Nations disciplinary committee, chaired by Antony Davies (England) along with John Doubleday (England) and Jean-Noel Couraud (France), considered the citing report, television footage and listened to Davies' explanation.

Davies, who has won 33 caps and made his Test debut against Scotland in 2009, will be available for Cardiff Blues' Heineken Cup quarter-final against holders Leinster on April 7.