Brad Shields: Wasps to appeal against back rower's four-week ban

Brad Shields was shown the red card by referee Romain Poite

Wasps are to appeal against a four-week ban handed out to back row Brad Shields for his sending off in their European Champions Cup defeat by Munster.

The 30-year-old was dismissed for a 26th-minute tackle on Dave Kilcoyne.

A disciplinary panel found he had used his shoulder against Kilcoyne's head and neck "in a dangerous manner".

Head coach Lee Blackett confirmed that an appeal would be lodged in the hope that Shields can play in Sunday's away game against Toulouse.

"I can't say too much yet because I've not received the written judgement," he said.

"Brad is desperate to play. He probably feels harshly done to a little bit. Whatever will happen will happen, he's the ultimate team man and he will react positively."

If any appeal is rejected, the England international will miss the Champions Cup tie in Toulouse, plus Premiership fixtures against London Irish, Sale and Leicester.

However, he could be available for the game against the Tigers on 9 January if he successfully completes a World Rugby coaching intervention.

The offence was considered to be mid-range in severity, which normally carries a six-week suspension, but the ban was reduced by a fortnight because of his good disciplinary record.

Wasps boss Lee Blackett had cast doubt over his side's ability to field a team in France this weekend, with the club in the middle of an injury crisis and also without four players because of coronavirus, but has now said they will call up members of the academy squad to make up the numbers.

"As long as nothing drastic happens from now to the game, we will be flying out to Toulouse," he added.

"If you start looking for excuses, it's a dangerous path to go down so we just move forward and we're looking forward to this game at the weekend."