Gross will miss a number of important matches for Newcastle

Gross and Wales international Ian Gough were involved in a brawl sparked when Gross lifted his knee into Gough.

Irish referee Donal Courtney sent off the Newcastle forward, while Gough received a yellow card and a split lip.

Jonathan Thomas, the Ospreys flanker sent off for punching in the match at Castres, has been banned for 18 days.

Thomas was sent off by English referee Dave Pearson in the final minute and the Wales international appeared before a disciplinary hearing held by match commissioner Jean-Claude Legendre.

The suspension rules Thomas out of the round two match against Munster at The Gnoll on 31 October, and Wales' international with South Africa on 6 November.

The Ospreys' back-row resources will be stretched with Andy Lloyd likely to miss the Munster tie with a neck injury, although Ryan Jones should be back after a rib problem.

The club have confirmed that they will not appeal against the Thomas ban, though.

Gross' ban rules him out of next weekend's Heineken Cup clash against Perpignan, as well as important league games.

Newcastle have decided not to appeal the decision after viewing a video of the incident.

Gross' dismissal took the gloss off an outstanding Newcastle performance, when they suppressed the Dragons despite being without injured England star Jonny Wilkinson and then losing Gross during the frenzied closing stages.