MOODY BANNED, BUT COULD STILL FACE WALES

British and Irish Lions flanker Moody, who became the first player to be sent off playing for England at Twickenham last weekend, will also miss the last four rounds of the Heineken Cup Pool stages after being given a nine week suspension.

Moody’s suspension will finish the week before the RBS Six Nations Championship begins, leaving the way clear for him to be considered to return to England’s colours for their game at Twickenham against the reigning champions Wales on Saturday, 4 February, but given his lack of first-team action his chances of making an immediate return to the line-up are slim.
 
It will be his second lay-off this season after already serving a six-week suspension for punching Leeds number eight Jordan Crane during a second-team game in September.
 
The maximum suspension for striking an opponent is one year and while a recent crackdown on violence has resulted in tougher penalties, Moody’s initial role as peacemaker in the incident is sure to have worked in his favour.