13 Jun 2010

Heaslip hit with five week ban

4:09 pm on 13 June 2010

The Irish loose forward Jamie Heaslip has been suspended for five weeks for foul play during the rugby test loss to the All Blacks in New Plymouth last night.

Heaslip was sent off in the 15th minute after the referee Wayne Barnes said he'd used his knee to strike All Blacks captain Richie McCaw.

He admitted using his knee twice but denied striking McCaw's head.

The IRB Judicial Officer Michael Cashman from Australia said the offending was in the mid-range of seriousness as the first strike was to the head.