Hayes out for six weeks

Munster prop John Hayes has been suspended for six weeks for a red-card offence in the Magner's League clash with Leinster at The RDS on Saturday.

Hayes will miss Munster first two matches in the Heineken Cup away to Northampton and at home to Treviso, as well as two Magner's League ties against Edinburgh and Ulster, but he will be available for Ireland's November internationals.

An Irish Rugby Football Union Disciplinary Panel held a hearing this afternoon to consider the sanction of a red card under law 10.4 (b) for a stamp on Cian Healy in the 54th minute of the game.

The hearing took place in the Ulster Branch offices in Ravenhill. The IRFU Panel consisted of Hugh Logan (Chairman) who was assisted by Stephen Hilditch and Neil Jackson.

The disciplinary panel confirmed that the offence constituted a high-end entry level in terms of sanctions. Having also considered all mitigating factors, the panel imposed a six-week suspension from the date of the offence on Saturday, October 3 up to and including Saturday, November 14.

Hayes has the right of appeal.