Eye-gouge ban rules France's Jegou out of England game

France flanker Oscar Jegou will miss the Six Nations meeting with England on Saturday after being given a four-week suspension for gouging an opponent's eye.

An independent disciplinary committee found that Jegou, 22, made "reckless contact with the eye(s)" of Scotland hooker Ewan Ashman during France's 50-40 defeat at Murrayfield on Saturday.

Jegou escaped punishment during the match, but the committee decided the action warranted a red card.

The sanction was reduced from six weeks to four because of his prior good conduct and disciplinary record.

The loss to Scotland ended France's Grand Slam hopes and means both sides go into the final round tied on 16 points in the table, vying for the title with third-placed Ireland.

Jegou will miss the match against England in Paris (20:10 GMT) and will be unavailable for club games for La Rochelle against Pau, Bayonne and Newcastle Falcons.

Scotland, whose points difference is inferior to France's, face Ireland in Dublin on Saturday (14:10 GMT).