Fiji’s Eroni Sau handed five-week ban after seeing red vs Wales

The wing was dismissed for a swinging arm that hit the head of Wales’ Johnny Williams

Eroni Sau of Fiji is shown a red card by the by Nic Berry. Photograph:  Dan Mullan/Getty Images
Eroni Sau of Fiji is shown a red card by the by Nic Berry. Photograph: Dan Mullan/Getty Images

Fiji winger Eroni Sau has been given a five-match ban after being sent off for a dangerous tackle against Wales.

Sau was dismissed in the 25th minute of his side's defeat in Cardiff on Sunday following a swinging arm hit to the head of centre Johnny Williams.

Sau appeared before an independent disciplinary committee via video link and accepted that he had made direct contact to the head of his opponent, but denied that he had committed an act of foul play.

However, the committee decided that the contact had been with force and a high degree of danger, meaning the referee’s decision to issue a red card was upheld.

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Sau will miss Fiji’s game against Georgia this weekend and his club Provence’s fixtures with Montauban, Mont de Marsan, Oyannax and Agen.

If he completes a World Rugby coaching intervention programme, Sau would be available to face Agen. He also has 48 hours from the issuing of the full written decision to appeal.