Briefs: Duo suspended, Mujati banned

AFP - Thursday, November 05, 2009 4:51 PM

Gloucester wing Charlie Sharples has been suspended for two weeks by the Rugby Football Union.

The punishment comes after the Cherry and Whites flyer pleaded guilty to tackling Sale's Marika Vakacegu in the air during their Guinness Premiership encounter on October 30.

Sharples was dismissed in the 35th minute of the 28-23 defeat and will be free to play again on November 19.

And Sale Sharks centre Andy Tuilagi has been suspended for one week after being found guilty of a dangerous tackle.

The 23-year-old former Leicester and Leeds back was cited for the offence, which occurred during Sale's 21-16 Guinness Premiership loss at Northampton on October 24.

Tuilagi will therefore miss Friday's LV= Cup clash at Newport Gwent Dragons, however he will be free to return on November 11.

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LONDON (AFP) - South African forward Brian Mujati has been banned for six weeks after pushing referee Nigel Owens in the back during Northampton's European Cup defeat by Perpignan in France last month.

Mujati was cited after the incident and the independent judicial officer, Rod McKenzie, ruled on Monday that the player had been guilty of an act contrary to good sportsmanship.

McKenzie however determined the offence was low-end in terms of its seriousness and accepted there were "compelling and exceptional mitigating factors" in that Mujati was suffering from concussion at the time of the incident.

Barring a successful appeal, Mujati will not be allowed to play until December