Bath's Will Muir has had his appeal against a four-week ban rejected. The winger was cited for having made contact in a reckless manner with the eye of Leinster's Josh van der Flier in a Heineken Champions Cup match on December 11th.
And an independent appeal committee hearing on Thursday decided the punishment was appropriate, meaning Muir will be banned until January 10th.
He is therefore due to miss matches against Gloucester, Exeter, London Irish and Worcester.
A statement from European Professional Club Rugby read: “The appeal committee was not satisfied on the balance of probability that the decision appealed against was wrong, or that the original disciplinary committee had fallen into error, and the appeal was therefore refused.”
Cardiff outhalf Dan Fish, meanwhile, has been suspended for three weeks for making contact in a dangerous manner with the head of Harlequins fullback Tyrone Green.
The incident occurred during the final minute of the Champions Cup match, which Quins won 43-17, last Saturday.
