England captain Martin Johnson was today considering his next move after being hit with a three-week ban for punching Saracens hooker Robbie Russell.
Rugby Football Union (RFU) disciplinary chiefs conducted a marathon hearing of almost eight hours before announcing their verdict around 1 a.m. today.
It means that Johnson is suspended up to, and including, March 14th, ruling him out of England's potential Six Nations decider against France in Paris as well as Leicester's Premiership appointments with Northampton tomorrow and Bath on March 9th.
But Johnson has 14 days to decide on a possible appeal and the moment he lodges a protest with Twickenham officials, he is free to resume playing, pending another hearing.
If the 65-times-capped lock goes down that road, it is conceivable he could make the French clash on Saturday week, but the decision now appears to rest with England boss Clive Woodward.
Woodward cannot select Johnson at the moment, yet a protest made in the middle of next week would probably make him available for Paris. The RFU could not realistically arrange an appeal hearing in two or three days.
Given that Johnson's high-powered legal team challenged the RFU's right to even stage last night's Bristol hearing, there is every chance that an appeal will be made.
Once the legal arguments were put to bed, Johnson was told by panel chairman Richard Smith his conduct had been worthy of a red card and was then served with the recommended three-week norm for punching, while player and club were ordered to pay costs totalling £250.
PA