Samoan winger Alesana Tuilagi has been suspended for five weeks for an act of foul play during their Rugby World Cup game against Japan at the weekend.
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In a statement, World Rugby said: ‘Tuilagi denied the act of foul play.
The ban has caused quite a stir since it has been announced and a number of ex-players have now voiced their discontent with the decision taken by World Rugby on Twitter.
That his trailing knees did the damage to Japan’s Harumichi Tatekawa came into calculation and the striking charge was the laid.
Former England captain Lewis Moody, a team-mate of Tuilagi’s at Leicester Tigers, added on Wednesday morning: ‘I am appalled alesana has been banned for this.
“With respect to the sanction, the Judicial Officer determined that the offence was mid-range, which has an entry point of eight weeks”.
It means he will not be available for Samoa’s final pool fixture against Scotland on Saturday and will not be available to turn out for his Newcastle Falcons club side before November 10.
“In the context of the Rugby World Cup a week equates to one match”. The match, the last for both teams in Pool B, is at St James’ Park in Newcastle.
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Once he receives the full written reasons for the decision, Tuilagi has 48 hours to appeal.
