Ashley Johnson gets a three-week ban for Dave Kearney tackle

Wasps flanker Ashley Johnson has been banned for three weeks for his challenge on Dave Kearney that brought a yellow card against Leinster.

Back-rower Johnson was sin-binned after just 24 seconds of Wasps’ 20-20 Champions Cup draw with Leinster in Coventry last weekend.

The three-cap South Africa flanker escaped a red card despite upending the airborne wing Kearney, who landed awkwardly and damaged his shoulder.

Johnson was later cited, however, and was hit with a three-week suspension at a disciplinary hearing in Dublin yesterday.

Johnson pleaded guilty to the charge of “tackling the jumper in the air” at the European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) hearing, with independent judicial officer Simon Thomas ruling the offence merited a red card.