A three-man panel, chaired by Jeff Blackett, decided there was no evidence he had deliberately gouged Newcastle's Jon Dunbar in a Premiership match on 8 September.

Newcastle boss Rob Andrew described the incident as "barbaric".

"It is clear that Jon Dunbar sustained an injury to his eye and rightly felt aggrieved," said an RFU statement.

"In the heat of the moment, he believed the injury was caused deliberately.

No recollection

"However, we have heard new opinion evidence from an ophthalmic specialist, Mr Akingbehin, that the injuries sustained are not consistent with gouging.

"The version of events put forward by the defense is consistent with Jon Dunbar's recollection - the only difference being the intent.

"Peter Anglesea accepts he must have caused the injury but has no recollection of the incident."

Anglesea was originally banned on 24 September.

The 29-year-old back row is now free to continue his career and is set to play in Sale's Parker Pen Shield encounter with Connacht in Ireland on Saturday.

Sale chairman Quentin Smith told BBC Radio Five Live:"This is a vindication not a celebration.

"We are not saying that we are delighted to have got the result but we are satisfied there has been a thorough investigation.

"We were optimistic because Peter has received a lot of support from within the game and we were also able to garner expert evidence."