Chris Hala'ufia was also twice banned last year, first in January, then in April

London Irish's Chris Hala'ufia has been given an eight-week ban for a dangerous tackle on Northampton's Shane Geraghty during last month's LV= Cup clash.

The back-row forward pleaded guilty at a Rugby Football Union disciplinary panel and was suspended until 5 April.

The panel called the tackle a "cynical and deliberate act of foul play aimed at taking out an opponent".

The 32-year-old, who will miss six Premiership matches, also received a four-week ban in January last year.

And in April 2010, he was banned for three weeks for a dangerous tackle on Wasps fly-half Dave Walder.

RFU panel chair Jeremy Summers added: "An International Rugby Board memorandum of 21 January made clear that tackles above the shoulder must be dealt with severely.

"This sanction reflects that direction. The player's poor previous disciplinary record was also taken into consideration."

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