Bath's Butt and Sale's Thomas handed bans

Will Butt was sent off early in the second half of Bath's win against Sale, before Sharks' Nye Thomas saw red

Bath centre Will Butt and Sale scrum-half Nye Thomas have both been given three-game bans by the Rugby Football Union following their red cards during their Premiership match last week.

Butt, 24, was sent off in the 51st minute for a dangerous tackle on Le Roux Roets that lifted him and drove him into the ground, causing him to land on his head.

Thomas, 21, was shown red 10 minutes later after making head contact with Bath winger Will Muir, when he tackled him to deny him a try.

Both Butt and Thomas admitted the offences at separate hearings this week.

Butt is unavailable for Bath's three upcoming Premiership Rugby Cup (PRC) group games, starting with Ampthill away on Saturday, as well as Bristol at home on 9 November and Bedford away on 23 November.

Thomas however could see his ban reduced from three games to two, subject to the completion of a World Rugby coaching intervention programme.

He will miss Sale's PRC matches against Doncaster and Caldy, but could be available to play Newcastle on 23 November.