Grewcock gets ban for 'violent conduct'

Lions and England lock Danny Grewcock will be available for England's November internationals, after the Bath skipper was handed a five-week ban when found guilty of "violent conduct" at a Rugby Football Union (RFU) disciplinary hearing.

Grewcock, 29, was dismissed during a Zurich Premiership game between Bath and Saracens nine days ago after kicking Kyran Bracken in the mouth and although the recommended punishment for such an offence is an 84-day ban, the lack of conclusive video evidence, and the support of his victim, has seen him get off relatively lightly.

The three-man panel deciding that Grewcock's act was reckless, rather than intentional.

Grewcock will therefore return to action on October 24, which makes him available for England's Autumn internationals against the All Blacks, the Wallabies and the Springboks, although he will miss three Premiership games and two European ones.