Ireland hooker banned for kicking

DUBLIN - Ireland hooker Jerry Flannery will miss the rest of the Six Nations after being suspended for six weeks for kicking France winger Alexis Palisson last Sunday (NZT).

Although the referee did not show Flannery a card for kicking Palisson, he was cited for the kick and his case came before a disciplinary committee today.

Flannery admitted the incident warranted a red card and the disciplinary panel, deciding that his action was reckless rather than deliberate, imposed a mid-range punishment.

He will not be able to resume playing until March 29 which rules him out of the rest of the championship.

France won the game 33-10.

- AP