France Centre Fritz Banned For Three Weeks

Fritz appeared before an independent Six Nations disciplinary committee near London`s Heathrow airport to answer charges of eye gouging.

France centre Florian Fritz will miss the Six Nations matches against Scotland and Wales after being handed a three-week suspension on Wednesday.

Fritz appeared before an independent Six Nations disciplinary committee near London's Heathrow airport to answer charges of eye gouging against Ireland in Dublin on Saturday.

A Six Nations statement said Fritz had "not deliberately made contact with the eyes or eye area" of his Irish opponent in France's 30-21 defeat at Croke Park.

"The committee did, however, find the player guilty of committing the lesser offence of striking an opponent and imposed a suspension of three weeks up to and including Sunday, March 1," the statement said.

French rugby federation (FFR) chairman Pierre Camou earlier told reporters at the team's training camp in Marcoussis: "Fritz will be requalified (available) on March 2".

His three-week suspension means he will not be available for the games against Scotland on Saturday at the Stade de France and Wales on Feb. 27 also in Paris.

France coach Marc Lievremont said before the ban was announced that the Toulouse player would be replaced by Benoit Baby against the Scots if he was suspended. Maxime Mermoz has already joined the squad as a replacement cover.