Stomping Puma slapped with ban

This followed after he was sent off during the Pumas' 14-27 loss to England at Twickenham last weekend.

The 21-year-old replacement front row forward received a red card from French referee Pascal Gauzere following a second-half incident where replays showed him stamping on England prop Joe Marler.

A year-end international disciplinary statement said Marler had appeared via video link before a tribunal where he accepted he had committed an act of foul play but one that did not deserve a red card.

However, the disciplinary panel disagreed, with a statement Thursday saying: "As for sanction, the disciplinary committee determined that Pieretto's actions had been intentional and that they merited a top-end entry point based on World Rugby's scale of seriousness, which carries a nine-week playing suspension.

"The disciplinary committee further determined that there were no aggravating factors and that there were some mitigating factors, such that his playing suspension is reduced by two weeks."

Factoring in Pieretto's likely playing schedule – he is not set to appear in a match before early February – the committee said he would be free to play again on March 20 next year.

Last Saturday's match also saw England wing Elliot Daly sent off.

Earlier this week, Daly was given a three-week ban for his "reckless" act in tackling Pumas No.8 Leonardo Senatore while the back row was in mid-air.

Agence France-Presse