New Wasps fly-half Jimmy Gopperth as received a three week suspension after punching Leciester Tigers captain Mathew Tait.
The recent signing will miss out on three upcoming fixtures due his late challenge on Tait in Wasps’ 24-16 defeat to the Tigers at Welford Road last Sunday.
Gopperth will miss out on a match against his former club Leinster in the European Champions Cup.
The 32 year old New Zealander will also be absent for Wasps’ next two matches at the Ricoh Arena, against Gloucester and Toulon in the Premiership and Champions Cup respectively.
It’s believed that Wasps have already appealed against Gopperth’s suspension, but a failure to achieve their appeal could result in a longer ban for the number ten.
Gopperth made contact with the side of Tait’s head, with his elbow, as he chased the his own up and under kick.
The ex-All Black was sent to the sin-bin in the 54th minute and came on for a brief amount of time after his ten minute rest; eventually getting replaced by young prospect Alex Lozowski.
Referee Tim Wigglesworth gave Gopperth a yellow card instantly, but the Rugby Union Football Union disciplinary panel summoned the 32 year old for an investigation. Gopperth appeared at a Coventry Hotel on Tuesday evening after being accused of ‘punching or striking, contrary to law,’ – he then pleaded to guilty to the accusations.
Wasps are not allowed to make any comments on the incident until the appeal hearing, which will be held on Thursday.
Gopperth has played in the Premiership before after having a spell up north with Newcastle – for whom he played for four seasons – before heading to Ireland to play for Leinster in 2013.
