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French pair suspended for punching

Sunday 06th July 2008

A mid-range offence: James Horwill's eye is testament to Imanol Harinordoquy's attack

French pair Renaud Boyoud and Imanol Harinordoquy have both been suspended for three weeks after being found guilty of punching during France's 40-10 defeat to Australia on Saturday.

Both were found guilty of punching - in separate instances - Wallaby lock James Horwill during a first-half dust-up in the Brisbane Test.

Both pleaded guilty to the charge, and will be suspended from August 1-22 inclusive.

Judicial Officer Christopher Quinlan decided both offences were in the mid range of seriousness with the players breaching Law 10.4(a) - striking an opponent.

He found Harinordoquy threw "deliberate and repeated blows to the head/face of the Australian number four".

Boyoud was found to have struck Horwill once "but it was a significant blow, struck from behind".

The entry point for a mid-range offence is five weeks.

Mr Quinlan took into account mitigating factors, in that both players expressed regret and remorse, before reducing their periods of suspension to three weeks.