Six Nations: Ireland prop Cian Healy banned for three weeks

Ireland prop stamped on Dan Cole

Ireland prop Cian Healy (PA)

The Ireland prop Cian Healy has been banned until 10 March for stamping on Dan Cole during Sunday's 12-6 Six Nations defeat by England at the Aviva Stadium.

The 25-year-old, who stamped on Cole after an Ireland maul had collapsed, will now miss Ireland's games against Scotland and France after he was handed the ban.

An independent disciplinary committee decided that Healy's actions should be categorised as a mid-range offence in terms of seriousness, which carries a sanction of five weeks. The committee also allowed the maximum two weeks of mitigation, but by handing down a suspension of three weeks, recognised the player would not have played for his province this weekend.

Healy has the right to appeal the ban, which will come as a fresh blow to the Ireland coach, Declan Kidney, who has already lost the services of winger Simon Zebo and fly-half Jonathan Sexton.