Two Italian props suspended

Two Italian players sent off in European competition have been suspended following disciplinary hearings. Both players were props, both referees Welsh.

Italian international prop, 34-year-old Giampiero de Carli, who had come on as a replacement in Calvisano's Heineken Cup match against London Wasps at Causeway Stadium in High Wycombe, received a red card from Welsh referee Nigel Owens.

The match commissioner, Rod Edwin of England) convened a disciplinary hearing at which De Carli was found guilty of punching an opponent in the 63rd minute of the match and suspended for two weeks.

In a European Shield match between Auch and GrAN Rugby Parma at Stade du Moulias in Auch, Welsh referee Phil Fear sent off the Parma prop, 21-year-old Cristian Prestera, like De Carli a replacement, for kicking an opponent in the 80th minute of the match.

French match commissioner, Jean-Claude Legendre. conceded a disciplinary hearing at which Prestera was found guilty and suspended for five weeks.