The federal appeals committee met on Thursday and published its decision on Friday.

The case appeared closed on 7 October. The federal appeals committee has reopened it: Lenni Nouchi receives a three-week ban for his dangerous tackle on Toulon lock Swan Rebbadj during Montpellier v Toulon (28-0) on 4 October.

From a yellow card to three weeks

The Montpellier captain, back after an ankle injury picked up in July with France, had been on the pitch for two minutes when he received an orange card. He also suffered concussion in the incident. The LNR disciplinary committee downgraded the card to yellow, sparing him a ban. The French federation appealed, and the committee upheld “dangerous play”.

Castres, Lyon and perhaps South Africa

Nouchi, 22, with 8 caps, will miss Castres at home on Sunday and Lyon on 7 November, and potentially France v South Africa on 13 November, according to Midi Libre. Fabien Galthie had not called him up for November in any case, because of a quadriceps injury sustained at Bath on 17 October.

Key figures

3 weeks the ban handed to Lenni Nouchi on appeal

2 minutes Nouchi's time on the pitch before his orange card against Toulon

8 caps for the 22-year-old back-rower

Félix Lapoussière
Journaliste