London Irish forward Chris Hala'Ufia given five-week ban

London Irish forward Chris Hala'Ufia has been banned for five weeks after receiving a red card for a dangerous tackle on London Welsh's Seb Jewell.

Hala'Ufia, 34, was sent off after 10 minutes of his side's 15-9 Premiership defeat by London Welsh on 1 December.

The Tongan number eight will be out of action until 7 January.

Meanwhile, Bath's Matt Banahan received a three-week ban for a dangerous tackle and his team-mate Lee Mears was given a two-week ban for striking an opponent.

Centre Banahan was sent off for the tackle on Leicester centre Anthony Allen during last Saturday's Premiership clash at Welford Road.

The tackle sparked a scuffle, which led to the incidents involving Mears and Leicester back-row forward Brett Deacon, who was dismissed for striking an opponent.

Deacon was given a one-week ban by the RFU disciplinary panel. He also received a one-week suspension following an internal hearing by his club.

A third Bath player, flanker Francois Louw, was sent off against Leicester for elbowing Graham Kitchener, but the citing was dismissed.