Nicky Little hit with lengthy ban

Saracens star Nicky Little has been banned for 11 weeks by Rugby Football Union (RFU) disciplinary chiefs.

The Fiji international appeared before a three-man RFU panel in London.

Little was cited by London Irish officials for striking Exiles fly-half Ross Laidlaw during a Guinness 'A' League game last week.

The suspension, which underlines the RFU's no-nonsense approach to indiscipline this season, will sideline Little until November 22.

Although he is currently on the first-team fringes at Saracens, his ability to cover more than one position and his prodigious goal-kicking makes him a valuable squad member.

Little's challenge left Laidlaw with a fractured bone below his right eye, for which the fly-half underwent an operation.

Saracens have 14 days to decide whether to appeal against Little's ban.

The panel also found Worcester No.8 Drew Hickey not guilty of a 'dangerous charging' offence in the Guinness Premiership game against Gloucester at Sixways.

The charge had been brought after the Premiership Citing Officer reviewed tapes of the incident that left Gloucester skipper Adam Balding needing surgery after his cheekbone was broken in three places.