Jimmy Gopperth: Wasps fail with appeal against three-week ban

Jimmy Gopperth has clocked up 26 points in three games so far since joining Wasps this summer

Wasps have lost their appeal against the length of the three-week ban imposed on stand-off Jimmy Gopperth.

Gopperth, 32, was banned after pleading guilty to a late hit on Leicester captain Mathew Tait in Sunday's 24-16 Premiership defeat at Leicester.

But the appeal at the ban, until 24 November, was dismissed by a second three-man RFU disciplinary panel.

He will still miss three matches, including a European Champions Cup trip to his former club Leinster.

Gopperth will also miss the Coventry matchday-based side's next two home games, against Gloucester in the Premiership this Sunday and Toulon, also in the European Champions Cup.

He was initially yellow-carded by referee Tim Wigglesworth on Sunday for 'punching or striking, contrary to law 10.4(a)'.

Gopperth was replaced for the final 10 minutes at Welford Road by Alex Lozowski, but he stays on the bench, with Ruaridh Jackson swapping from full-back to deputise for this Sunday's home game with Gloucester.