Nine-week ban for Attwood

England and Gloucester lock Dave Attwood has received a nine-week ban after being cited for stamping on La Rochelle prop Petrisor Toderasc during an Amlin Challenge Cup game last month.

Attwood, who admitted the charge at an independent European Rugby Cup disciplinary hearing in Dublin today, is suspended until February 21.

It means the 23-year-old, who is a member of Martin Johnson’s England elite squad, will be unavailable for the opening RBS 6 Nations Championship games against Wales and Italy.

Attwood toured Australia with England last summer and did not feature in the two-Test series, but he made his international debut as a replacement against New Zealand at Twickenham two months ago.