Moody handed nine-week ban
England flanker Lewis Moody will be available for England’s entire RBS 6 Nations campaign after receiving a nine-week ban for his role in Saturday’s mass brawl at Twickenham.
Moody, who became the first Englishman sent off at Twickenham, was handed the suspension by an International Rugby Board disciplinary hearing convened in London this evening.
The 27-year-old Leicester flanker was sent off in the 77th minute after landing several punches during the fight which marred England’s record 40-3 triumph over Samoa.
The initial flashpoint was Alesana Tuilagi’s dangerous tackle on Mark Cueto, which saw the England winger taken-out in mid-air and land head first onto the pitch.
Cueto launched a verbal volley at Tuilagi and when the Samoan responded with a punch Moody, who had originally intervened as peace-maker, waded in and the melee escalated.
Tuilagi was shown a red card for the tackle and Moody received his marching orders moments later.
