Rugby: Johnson's appeal thrown out

England rugby captain Martin Johnson’s appeal against a 21-day ban for punching Saracens hooker Robbie Russell during the Zurich Premiership encounter at Vicarage Road on February 9 was thrown out at Twickenham today by leading lawyer Michael Pannick.

The Leicester skipper had already admitted guilt and accepted the length of the ban, but did not believe it should be allowed to stand because he had already been punished for the offence by being ordered to the sin-bin by referee Dave Pearson.

RFU disciplinary officer Robert Horner thought otherwise and brought a charge against Johnson, citing an infrequently used regulation effectively giving him power to act above the punishments meted out by the match official.

Even though he ruled in Horner’s favour, Pannick advised in his 19-page summing up that the RFU should define the circumstances under which similar cases can be brought.