Ireland hooker Jerry Flannery has lost his appeal against the six week suspension which has ruled him out for the remainder of the RBS 6 Nations championship.
Flannery was hit with the ban after being found guilty of kicking France wing Alexis Palisson on 13 February.
Flannery pleaded guilty to the charge at an independent disciplinary hearing in Dublin last month.
The Irish camp opted to contest the verdict in a bid to get the length of the ban reduced, but an independent Six Nations appeals committee upheld the original decision.
"The appeal lodged by Jerry Flannery against the extent of his six-week sanction for kicking an opponent in the RBS 6 Nations match between France and Ireland has been dismissed," read a statement.
Flannery admitted he had deserved a red card for scything down Palisson in the 33-10 defeat in Paris, with the France back subsequently limping out of the game with a dead leg.
The disciplinary panel found the Munster star had been reckless but not deliberate in his actions and decided the offence was mid-range in its severity.
With Flannery's suspension upheld, Ulster's Rory Best, who started at hooker in Flannery's absence against England, is now set to remain in that role for the final two matches of the Championship which are played both in Dublin.
Latest results:
Saturday 27 February 2010
- England 16-20 Ireland
- Italy 16-12 Scotland
Friday 26 February 2010
Coming up:
Saturday 13 March 2010
- Ireland v Wales, 2.30pm
- Scotland v England, 5pm
Sunday 14 March 2010
RBS Six Nations Table| Position | Team | Points |
|---|
| 1 | France | 6 |
| 2 | England | 4 |
| 3 | Ireland | 4 |
| 4 | Wales | 2 |
| 5 | Italy | 2 |
| 6 | Scotland | 0 |
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