Mathieu Bastareaud to miss Six Nations opener after three-week ban for verbal abuse

Toulon centre Mathieu Bastareaud has been suspended for three weeks after pleading guilty to allegations of verbally abusing Benetton Rugby flanker Sebastian Negri Da Oleggio in Champions Cup on Sunday.

The punishment means 29 year-old Bastareaud, originally named in France's 32-man squad to face Ireland on February 3, will miss at least the opening round of the Six Nations. Her has been replaced by Jonathan Danty of Stade Francais.

Bastareaud was cited by Welsh citing commissioner Dennis Jones after appearing to call Negri a "f------ faggot" in the final stages of Toulon's 36-0 victory.

The insult was picked up on the microphone of referee Luke Pearce, who issued a warning but took no further on-field action.

Under World Rugby's Sanctions for foul play, the offence carried a low-end entry point of a six-week ban with a mid-range entry point of 12 weeks and a top-end band of 18 to 52 weeks. 

An independent disciplinary committee consisting of Rod McKenzie, Jennifer Donovan and Becky Essex heard evidence and submissions from Bastareaud, who pleaded guilty to the charge, from the player's legal representative, Philip Fitzgerald, and from EPCR Disciplinary Officer, Liam McTiernan.  

Following an adjournment, the committee upheld the citing complaint as it determined that the nature of the verbal abuse warranted a red card.

It found that the offence was at the low end of World Rugby's sanctions and six weeks was selected as the appropriate entry point.  

As there were no aggravating factors and taking into account the player's guilty plea, the committee then reduced the sanction by the maximum permitted of 50 per cent before imposing a suspension of three weeks.  

Bastareaud, who issued an apology on Twitter hours after the incident, is free to play on Sunday, 4 February 2018. Both he and EPCR have the right to appeal the decision.