Scarlets lock slapped with a heavier ban than French prop for punching

Scarlets lock Sam Lousi been slapped with a five-week suspension for his punch on Fineen Wycherley in the Scarlets' loss to Munster on February 29, 2020.

His suspension cames a day after France prop Mohamed Haouas was handed a three-match ban for a similar offence as he was shown a red card in France's loss to Scotland in round 4 of the Six Nations.

In Lousi's case, the Disciplinary Hearing accepted that the Player’s actions warranted a red card for foul play but where it differed from Haouas' is that the French prop's actions were judged to warrant a mid-range entry point (six weeks suspension) while Lousi's was deemed to be a top-end offence, which carries a 10-week suspension.

Both players had their suspensions cut in half because of their clean disciplinary records as well as their acceptance of their actions and because they showed remorse. 

WATCH: Lousi's punch below:

Lousi is free to play again from midnight on April 5, 2020 while Haouas is free to resume playing from Tuesday, April 14.

All in all Lousi will miss key PRO14 fixtures against Connacht, Dragons and the Southern Kings as well as the Challenge Cup quarter-final against Toulon.

While, Haouas would have missed France's clash with Ireland if it weren't postponed but instead will miss three TOP14 fixtures against Racing 92, Bordeaux and Toulon.