Tuilagi banned for five weeks

It means he will not be available for Samoa's final pool fixture against Scotland on Saturday and will not be available to turn out for his Newcastle Falcons club side before November 10.

Tuilagi was cited for kneeing Harumichi Tatekawa in the second minute of the match won last weekend by Japan 26-5.

He denied foul play. But after reviewing all camera angles the citing was upheld by judicial officer Antony Davies. 

A possible ban of eight weeks was reduced to five because of Tuilagi's "impeccable conduct during the hearing, good character and record over a long career," said a World Rugby statement.

Tuilagi's teammate Faifili Levave appeared before a judicial officer on Wednesday after being cited for "playing the opponent without the ball" in the same match.

While the citing was upheld, the Judicial Officer determined that due to exceptional circumstances no further sanction should be imposed and therefore the player is free to play in Samoa's final Pool B match against Scotland on October 10.

Levave denied the act of foul play. Having conducted a detailed review of all the available evidence, including all camera angles, evidence from the player and submissions from his legal representatives, the Judicial Officer Antony Davies (England) upheld the citing on the basis that the player had committed the act of foul play.

With respect to the sanction, the Judicial Officer determined that the offence was low-end, which has an entry point of two weeks. However, taking into account off-field mitigating factors including his impeccable conduct during the hearing, good character and clean disciplinary record over a long career and the absence of any aggravating factors, the Judicial Officer decided that any further sanction beyond the on field yellow card would be wholly disproportionate.

AFP and @WorldRugby