Cudmore banned

Clermont-Auvergne lock Jamie Cudmore has been handed a four-week ban for punching Wasps prop Tim Payne during a Heineken Cup match.

The Canadian was sanctioned by the tournament’s disciplinary committee following the incident, which took place in the Pool 5 clash at the Causeway Stadium on December 15.

The suspension began on December 24, so the second-row forward will be free to play again from January 21.

He will miss Clermont’s remaining pool matches against Munster and Llanelli.