Rugby

Irish hooker Jerry Flannery has received a six week ban for kicking France’s Alexis Palisson in last Saturday’s match.

The ban means the Munster player will miss the rest of the Six Nations tournament.

Flannery received the ban after attending an independent disciplinary hearing in Dublin on Wednesday.

During Saturday’s match, referee Wayne Barnes only awarded a penalty following the incident. Touch judge Stuart Terheege believed the challenge to be a shoulder charge, allowing the hooker to escape a red card.

Five players have agreed new contracts with the Cornish Pirates beyond the end of the season.

Fly-half Johnny Bentley has extended his contract by a year, keeping him with the Pirates until 31 May 2011.

Flanker Sam Betty, number eight Blair Cowan, scrum-half James Doherty and lock Chris Morgan have all signed deals until 31 May 2012.

A club spokesman said that it was good news for the club. He emphasised that it was a transition year for the club after the appointment of so many new coaches.

piratesfinal.mp3

Wales have announced a changed line-up for their Six Nations match with England.

Gareth Williams is among those drafted in, replacing Matthew Rees for the Six Nations opener against England on Saturday.

Tom James has also been picked for the Six Nations opening match at Twickenham. Wales coach Warren Gatland had delayed naming his team for Saturday's Twickenham showdown as he was waiting for Ospreys' player Lee Byrne's appeal against a two-match ban.

Cornish Pirates rugby club has dismissed head coach Mark Hewitt. His sacking  comes after a run of poor displays culminating in a comprehensive 39-8 defeat on Saturday. 

Assistant coach Brett Davey has been put in charge until the end of the season. Hewitts dismissal comes one year into a two-year contract signed back in 2008.

Dicky Evans, the owner of the Camborne-based club, has released a statement on the official Pirates website.  He cites the club's inconsistent form from the start of the season as the main reason for Hewitt's departure.

Pirates Media Office Phil Western speaking about Hewitt's sacking.mp3

Mounts Bay RFC is back in the EDF National Trophy, following their defeat to Esher earlier this month.

The Rugby Football Union disqualified Esher after it broke the rules. Mounts Bay were originally knocked out after losing 43-5 at home.

During the match, when Mounts Bay were 33-0 down, Esher fielded on-loan winger Dominic Shabbdo. However a subsequent ruling by the RFU said Esher’s substitution broke the rules of the game.