Six Nations: Magne cleared for England match

France flanker Olivier Magne has been cleared to face England in his country’s Lloyds TSB Six Nations crunch match in Paris next month.

Magne was hit with a 23-day ban at a disciplinary hearing yesterday following a stamping incident involving winger Denis Dallin during the opening-day clash with Italy on Saturday.

A three-man panel looked into the incident and had the power to rule the 28-year-old Montferrand back-row out of the entire competition if they had ruled the incident to be serious enough.

But, after considering video footage and hearing personal evidence from the player and his representative, it was determined Magne had acted recklessly rather than deliberately.

Having upheld the initial citing from the Italian federation, the panel have imposed a ban with immediate effect which rules Magne banned for 21 days two years ago for butting Scotland’s Stuart Reid out of France’s next outing with struggling Wales in Cardiff on February 16, but allowing him back in time to face England on March 2.

France coach Bernard Laporte will be relieved at the verdict, given Magne’s importance to his plans.

The encounter with England is seen by many as the title decider - both sides having cruised to victory in their opening games - and even at this early stage only Ireland look to have any chance of splitting the pair.