By James Standley

Hopley condemns violence but is not convinced by the new sanctions

Rugby union could become a battleground for the legal profession if stiffer penalties for violent conduct are introduced, says a leading official.

The sport's authorities are planning to more than double the length of bans for such offences as biting and punching.

But Damian Hopley, chief executive of the Professional Rugby Players' Association, fears the new measures could prove counter-productive.

"We've grave concerns we're seeing a sledgehammer to crack a nut," he said.

The International Rugby Board (IRB) has decided punishments are to be more than doubled, and that means that from next week a punch could be greeted with a 12-month ban.

The stiffer punishments came into effect for the international and European games on 1 January this year, but from 1 September they will apply to the whole of English rugby union.

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) met with Hopley and club representatives on Tuesday to discuss the new regulations and will hold a media briefing next week.

NEW DISCIPLINARY CODE Physical abuse of match officials: Life ban Threatening match officials: Three-year ban Biting: Six-month to three-year ban Punch: Three to 12-month ban Testicle grabbing, twisting and squeezing: Maximum two-year ban Gouging: Maximum two-year ban Punching, butting, stamping or trampling: Maximum one-year ban Stiff-arm tackles: Maximum six-month ban Verbal abuse of opponents, including spitting: Maximum six-month ban

Hopley was keen to stress that he is strongly opposed to on-field violence, but insisted the new regulations could lead to difficult situations.

"We are very supportive of the fact there is no room for violent behaviour on the field but I'm not convinced as to how these new regulations will be enforced," he told BBC Sport.

"I'm sure that lawyers up and down the country will be very excited to see such swingeing disciplinary sanctions introduced.

"I think it is a very clear message that there is no room for violence and thuggery on the field and I think that's a very positive statement.

"But I'm not quite sure that there was an epidemic (of violence) going on beforehand.

"We applaud the motivation behind this but in terms of the reality of what's actually going to be delivered, we'll wait to see."

As an example of how the new regulations would affect the game, after last year's Premiership Final Leicester's Neil Back was handed a four-week ban for punching Wasps flanker Joe Worsley.

Under the new system he would be banned for anywhere between three and 12 months.