Report: Scotland 39-15 USA

Scotland's appeal against the 12-week suspension on flanker Martin Leslie will be heard on Wednesday.

The veteran flanker was handed the suspension after being found guilty of attempting to intentionally strike USA centre Jason Keyter on the head.

World Cup officials revealed that Canadian Graeme Mew will chair a three-man appeal committee, alongside Australian John Freedman and Guillermo Tragant of Argentina.

The Scotland camp was stunned by the severity of the ban, which could end Leslie's international career and prevented him celebrating his 32nd birthday by facing France.

There are strong feelings that the sentence handed down was unduly harsh Scotland media officer Graham Law

Leslie was brought to book by Australian World Cup citing officer Terry Willis and given the three-month ban by former Irish international referee John West, who was acting judiciary commissioner.

The Scotland flanker's ban is one of the longest in World Cup history.

The record is held by Springbok centre Pieter Hendricks, who was suspended for 90 days after three players were red-carded during a brawl against Canada back in 1995.

Leslie's suspension effectively ends his 37-cap international career, having already decided to retire from Test rugby after the tournament.

He is the second player to be banned at this tournament.

Fijian winger Rupeni Caucaunibuca received a two-game ban for punching French flanker Olivier Magne, while England's Lawrence Dallaglio escaped being punished after being caught on camera aiming a punch at an opponent.

Scotland coach Ian McGeechan said: "There seems to be different kinds of fairness for different parts of the world."

I reject the argument that he used his right leg to propel himself forward Judicial officer Terry Willis

McGeechan pointed to Leslie's previous unblemished record and stressed: "Since he came to Scotland five years ago, Martin has been a tremendous role model, probably one of the most popular players among his peers and among supporters."

Wednesday's decision means that Leslie could not only miss the remainder of the World Cup but the next two months of Scotland's domestic season with club side Edinburgh.

Leslie club future in doubt

Willis fell short of handing out the maximum 18-week ban but insisted he had no choice but to severely punish Leslie.

"The clearest angle of the incident shows that Leslie, of his own volition, pulled the jersey of Keyter, dragging him onto the Scottish side of the ruck," Willis said in a statement.

"He had ample space after dragging the American player down to avoid contact between his right knee and the head of the player.

"I reject the argument that he used his right leg to propel himself forward and find that he deliberately dropped his knee into the head of the player."