Poirot banned after Pollock clash

Bordeaux-Begles prop Jefferson Poirot has been given a two-match ban after grabbing the throat of Northampton’s Henry Pollock after the Investec Champions Cup final.

Tempers flared in Cardiff after the full-time whistle as the French club secured a breakthrough European triumph in a captivating 28-20 battle.

The loosehead appeared before an independent disciplinary committee this afternoon, and accepted he had committed an act of foul play, which warranted a red card. Poirot had been cited for a violation of Law 9.27, which states: "A player must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship".

The independent Disciplinary Committee upheld the complaint, and it determined that the offending was at the low-end of World Rugby's sanctions and four weeks was selected as the appropriate entry point.