URC administrators have confirmed that Connacht winger Byron Ralston has been suspended for three matches for the clear-out that left Munster flanker Jack O’Donoghue with a serious knee injury.
The Australian was handed a yellow card on New Year’s Day but was cited and a disciplinary hearing established it should have been red.
According to today's Irish Independent, he was hit with a six-match ban, mitigated down by 50pc as a result of his good record, apology and conduct in the hearing.
His absence for the remaining Champions Cup games against Lyon and Bristol will be a blow to coach Pete Wilkins who has already lost Mack Hansen for those games, while Ralston will also miss the trip to Cardiff in February.
