Brian O’Driscoll has been suspended for 3 weeks for stamping on Italy’s Simone Favaro, during last weekend’s Six Nations game in Rome.

O’Driscoll was sin binned following the incident and today faced a citing commission in London. O’Driscoll admitted he had committed an act of foul play but denied the stamp deserved a red card. The Disciplinary Committee disagreed with the Irish centre and determined that a red card, and the 5 week ban it carried, was warranted.

O’Driscoll’s punishment was reduced by 2 weeks due to his “exemplary previous playing and disciplinary record.”
The player will now be out of action up to April 8th, and will miss Leinster’s Amlin Challenge cup quarter final against Wasps.

Image: Brian O'Driscoll in the sin bin against Italy following his stamp on Simone Favaro
©INPHO/Billy Stickland