Justin Marshall joined Montpellier from the Ospreys last summer

Former New Zealand scrum-half Justin Marshall has been suspended by his club Montpellier after allegedly refusing to go on as a late replacement.

The incident occurred towards the end of Montpellier's 34-0 loss away to Toulouse in the Top 14 last Saturday.

Marshall, 35, joined the French side last July after a surprise exit from Welsh region the Ospreys.

General manager Denis Navizet told AFP that: "We will make a decision about his future in the coming days."

Marshall has been left out of the Montpellier squad for this weekend's match with Clermont.

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The scrum-half joined the Ospreys in April 2006 from Leeds Tykes, after they were relegated from the Guinness Premiership.

Marshall signed a contract extension the following year, agreeing a deal to take him until the end of the 2008/9 season but then signed for Montpellier mid-contract.

He won 77 caps for the All Blacks during his international career and helped Canterbury Crusaders to win the Super 12 championship - now the Super 14 - on four occasions.

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