Ulster second-rower Iain Henderson has been ruled out of Ireland’s two remaining Six Nations matches after receiving a three-match ban for his red card against Ospreys in the PRO14.
Henderson, the 28-year-old British & Irish Lion, was sent off in the 75th minute of Ulster’s win on Saturday for charging into a ruck and making contact with Ospreys’ Dan Evans.
The Ulster captain had started two of Ireland’s three Six Nations games earlier this year but he will now miss the home game against Italy on October 24 and the trip to France a week later.
A PRO 14 disciplinary committee on Thursday said that Henderson’s offence would usually carry a six-week ban but it was reduced to three weeks on the back of his “clean disciplinary record”.
Henderson’s ban expires on November 9 which means he will be available for Ireland’s campaign in the new Autumn Nations Cup starting against Wales on November 13.
Ireland currently lie fourth in the Six Nations table but with a game in hand over the sides above them, including second-placed France, they are still in a position to lift the title.