Finn Russell will miss Scotland's RBS 6 Nations clash with Italy after his appeal against a two-week ban was thrown out by tournament bosses.
A Six Nations appeal committee rejected Scotland's appeal against Russell's ban for tackling Dan Biggar in the air in the 26-23 defeat to Wales on February 15.
The appeal committee upheld the original decision to suspend Russell for two weeks, despite considering submissions from the 22-year-old fly-half at a London hearing on Wednesday.
Russell will now miss Saturday’s Murrayfield clash with Italy, but will be free to return to face England at Twickenham on March 14.
"The Appeal Committee, having considered submissions on behalf of the player and on behalf of the Six Nations disciplinary officer, dismissed the appeal with the result that the original sanction of a two-week suspension stands, with Finn Russell able to return to play on March 2, 2015," read a Six Nations statement.
Russell had his initial three-week ban cut to two weeks in the first hearing on his case, with disciplinary bosses reflecting on his clean record.
The Glasgow playmaker avoided a lengthy ban as Six Nations chiefs ruled his challenge “reckless rather than deliberate”.
Russell collided with Biggar as his Wales counterpart leapt for a high ball into the Scotland half during the first period of Scotland’s slender Murrayfield defeat. Ospreys playmaker Biggar landed in a heap, but avoided serious injury and was able to continue.
New Zealand referee Glen Jackson sin-binned Russell, but a Six Nations disciplinary committee ruled the offence warranted a red card following the first hearing in London.
The Scottish Rugby Union (SRU) quickly announced plans to appeal the decision, clearly adamant Russell had collided with Biggar unwittingly and accidentally.
Meanwhile opponents Italy have made six changes and included two debutants in the starting line-up for Saturday’s game.
Enrico Bacchin, who will replace the injured Andrea Masi, and winger Michele Visentin, stepping in for Leonardo Sarto, will make their first appearances in the back line.
Coach Jacques Brunel has also made three changes to the pack as Italy attempt to win their first points after defeats by Ireland and England.
Prop Martin Castrogiovanni, ruled out after a friend’s dog bit him on the nose and left him needing 14 stitches, is replaced by Dario Chistolini while Matias Aguero and Simone Favaro also come in.
Joshua Furno is brought into the second row to replace the injured Marco Bortolami.
“Today Scotland are like us, they are coming off two losses, but narrow ones, against France and Wales. They are a team who don’t seem to me to be really strong but who also don’t have any real weaknesses,” Brunel told reporters.
Italy: 15-Luke McLean, 14-Michele Visentin, 13-Luca Morisi, 12-Enrico Bacchin, 11-Giovambattista Venditti, 10-Kelly Haimona, 9-Edoardo Gori, 8-Sergio Parisse (capt), 7-Simone Favaro, 6-Francesco Minto, 5-Joshua Furno, 4-George Fabio Biagi, 3-Dario Chistolini, 2-Leondardo Ghiraldini, 1-Matias Aguero
Replacements: 16-Andrea Manici, 17-Alberto De Marchi, 18-Lorenzo Cittadini, 19-Marco Fuser, 20-Samuela Vunisa, 21-Guglielmo Palazzani, 22-Tommaso Allan, 23-Giulio Bisegni (Writing by Brian Homewood in Berne, editing by Ed Osmond)
