Glasgow Warriors' Sila Puafisi suspended for Pro12 finale

Sila Puafisi was sent off against semi-final opponents Connacht

Sila Puafisi will miss the Pro12 play-offs after the Glasgow Warriors prop received a three-week suspension.

The 28-year-old Tonga international had been red-carded for striking scrum-half Kieran Marmion with his head during Connacht's 14-7 win on 7 May.

It means Puafisi will miss Saturday's semi-final against the Irish side - and the final should Glasgow progress.

His ban is a further blow to Warriors' hopes after centre Alex Dunbar's season was ended by a knee injury.

Puafisi admitted the foul play when he appeared before the Pro12's disciplinary committee in Cardiff on Monday.

The committee, chaired by Rhian Williams alongside fellow Welshmen Richard Cole and Simon Thomas, ruled that the offence merited a lower-end suspension.

A potential four-week ban was therefore reduced to three, but it rules Puafisi out until Sunday 12 June.

The Pro12 final takes place at Murrayfield Stadium on Saturday 28 May.

Holders Glasgow will know their potential opponents in the final by the time they face Connacht, with the first semi-final between Leinster and Ulster taking place on Friday.

Connacht's win over Glasgow, during which Puafisi was dismissed in the 50th minute, denied Glasgow a second consecutive season at the top of the table.

It also ensured the Irish side, who finished second behind Leinster, a home tie in the semi-final.