Bastareaud cops 5-week suspension

France and Toulon centre Mathieu Bastareuad has been handed a 5-week ban after he was shown a straight red card against Castres.

Bastareaud was shown the red car after he slammed his forearm into the head of Castres’ lock Christophe Samson 

The entry point for this kind of incident is 6 weeks but another week was added to Bastareaud's ban after the judiciary panel factored in the centres disciplinary record.

The suspension was then reduced by two weeks after the player showed admitted guilt and expressed remorse for his actions.

He is now suspended until Monday, October 15, 2018.