Ellis Out Of Pool Stages

Leicester Tigers will be without scrum-half Harry Ellis for the Heineken Cup Pool Stages following a ten-week ban handed out by an RFU disciplinary panel.

Ellis, who was on the replacements bench in the 2002 Heineken Cup final, has been suspended for striking an opponent with his head, meaning he will miss all six pool matches in the Heineken Cup.

The RFU issued the following statement after the hearing in Coventry on Monday.

"Ellis was charged with foul play by the independent citing officer after the Powergen Cup sixth round tie against Sale Sharks at Welford Road on November 15.

"He pleaded guilty to the offence, against Sale's Steve Hanley, when he appeared before a Rugby Football Union disciplinary panel. Ellis will be free to resume playing again on February 3, 2004.

"The disciplinary panel was chaired by Richard Moon (Cambridge University) and also included Peter Baines (Hertfordshire) and Dr Matthew Lohn (co-opted member)."

Tigers director of rugby Dean Richards said afterwards of the decision: "Harry pleaded guilty to this offence, and the panel stated that they believed there was no intent on his behalf to injure any other player, but they found that his actions were reckless.

"We have 24 hours to lodge any possible appeal against the sentence."