THE IRFU disciplinary committee have suspended Connacht's Michael McCarthy for three weeks after he pleaded guilty to striking an opponent - Leinster backrow Rocky Elsom - with his head. The decision means McCarthy will not be available for the province's opening European Challenge Cup match against French side Dax at Stade Maurice Boyau tomorrow (kick-off: 7pm local time).

The suspension ends at midnight on Sunday, October 26th.

The disciplinary committee met at Lansdowne Road yesterday to consider the red card given to McCarthy during the Magners League match at the Sportsgrounds last Sunday. They concluded the first yellow card given to the player for pulling down a lineout was awarded incorrectly and therefore the red card given on the basis of two yellow cards was rescinded and no suspension imposed.

The first yellow card came after Connacht had illegally disrupted a number of Leinster lineouts, and most believe he was effectively carded for the sins of the team.

It was the citing complaint, which arrived after the match, that McCarthy did not dispute and for which he received the suspension.

Coach Michael Bradley will have to withdraw McCarthy's name from the squad to face Dax, having yesterday selected the same 22-man squad that defeated Leinster. He also added the names of two other players. They are Joe Merrigan, who is fit and included in the squad for the first time since Edinburgh hosted Connacht in March, and Daniel Riordan, who has recovered from a hamstring injury that has kept him out for several weeks.

The good news is Ian Keatley was passed fit to play. The 21-year-old went off with a head injury at the weekend.

CONNACHT SQUAD:L Bibo, A Browne, K Campbell, F Carr, S Cronin, M Deane, G Duffy, A Farley, J Hearty, I Keatley, R Loughney, M McCarthy, J Merrigan, R Morris, J Muldoon, F Murphy, T Nathan, J O'Connor, R Ofisa, C Rigney, D Riordan, M Roberts, M Swift, B Wilkinson.