Rugby: Healey banned but is clear to face Scotland

Austin Healey has been banned for three weeks by a Rugby Football Union disciplinary panel after being found guilty of kicking an opponent.

But Healey will be available for England's Six Nations opener against Scotland at Murrayfield on February 2.

The RFU panel have decided that Healey's suspension should run until Thursday, January 24, freeing him up to start playing again the following day.

It means he will miss Leicester's Heineken Cup clash against Llanelli on Saturday, and Tigers' Powergen Cup quarter-final against Harlequins a week later.

But Healey, capped 42 times by England, will be available for Leicester's Heineken Cup quarter-final against yet-to-be decided opponents later this month.

Healey left the Heathrow hearing without making comment, jumping into a waiting car accompanied by Leicester chief executive Peter Wheeler before being whisked away.

Tigers manager Dean Richards fielded questions from waiting journalists.

Healey faced an allegation by the independent citing officer that he kicked Sale wing Anthony Elliott during a Zurich Premiership match on December 27.

The three-man RFU disciplinary panel was chaired by Jeff Blackett, joined by Jeff Probyn and David Hurst.