RFU uphold Bristol skipper Iain Grieve's one week ban

Grieve's punch left visiting stand-off Goode with a suspected broken nose

The Rugby Football Union will impose no further action on Bristol skipper Iain Grieve for punching Worcester's Andy Goode in a Championship play-off game.

The 24-year-old appeared before the RFU disciplinary panel on Thursday who deemed the one week ban placed on him by his own club sufficient.

He will be free to play again from Monday, 21 March and has been ordered to pay a fine of £250.

Grieve received a red card in the 44-15 defeat on Sunday.

Former England number 10 Goode was left with a suspected broken nose after the incident which sparked a mass brawl.

Speaking immediately after the match, Grieve told BBC Radio Bristol: "I can't hide from it. It was a red and being sent off as captain hurts.

"I don't go out playing to beat up people. I'm not a dirty player."

We were up against the best team in the league but we'll lick our wounds and come back - there are four teams in this league, it's not over yet

Bristol coach Paul Hull

While Grieve was dismissed, team-mate Dan Montagu and Warriors pair Kai Horstmann and Goode were sin-binned for their part in the fracas.

Ross Johnston then joined them in the sin-bin, to leave the game being briefly contested by 12 against 13.

"I fully accept the consequences of my actions and understand the club's decision to issue a one-week suspension," added Grieve.

"I do not take my role as captain lightly and I would like to apologise to my team-mates and supporters.

"I will be doing my utmost to make amends during the remainder of the play-off campaign."

With Bristol trailing by 10 points at the time, Grieve conceded that the incident destroyed any chance they had of getting back into the game.

"At 20-10 we had a feeling we were still in it," he said.

"But obviously a little situation broke out, the referee took a handle on it, which is what he's there for, and Worcester used the man advantage and we had to defend.

"The guys came out fighting and at times our defence were awesome."

The result means Bristol travel to Meadow Lane to play Nottingham on Sunday for the second of their play-off games looking for their first points in Pool A - but without Grieve.

"It's taken hard work to get here," the Bristol skipper continued. "We'll carry on working hard and take it into the Nottingham game."

After one game, Bristol already trail Warriors by eight points, with London Welsh in second spot on seven points. But head coach Paul Hull insists there is all still to play for.

"It's a six-game programme," Hull told BBC Radio Bristol. "And we always knew this would be the toughest one.

"Not because it's the first game but because they're firm favourites to go up having lost one game all season.

"We were up against the best team in the league but we will lick our wounds and come back strongly. There are four teams in this league and it's not over yet."