Agustin Creevy banned until the new year

London Irish will be without hooker Agustin Creevy for their trip to South Africa this weekend after he was handed a four week ban.

The Exiles face the reigning United Rugby Championship winners the Stormers this Saturday at the Cape Town Stadium, but will now do so without one of their seasoned internationals.

The Argentine was red carded by referee Andrea Piardi in the first-half of the opening match of the Heineken Champions Cup on Friday against Top 14 champions Montpellier for a high tackle on Anthony Bouthier. Having made clear contact with the head of the Frenchman with almost no effort to wrap his arms, there was no debate as to whether it was a red card or not and a ban was expected.

The 37-yer-old was subsequently banned for six weeks by an EPCR disciplinary panel for contravening Law 9.13: "A player must not tackle an opponent dangerously.

"Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play, Law 9.13 relating to dangerous tackling carries the following sanction entry points - Low End: 2 weeks; Mid-range: 6 weeks; Top end: 10 to 52 weeks."

The tackle was deemed a midrange offence, which carries a six week ban, but that was reduced by two weeks. However, it was not reduced by the full 50 percent due to Creevy's poor recent disciplinary record.

That means the hooker will miss the trip to Cape Town this weekend after the Exiles' 32-27 loss to Montpellier at the Gtech Community Stadium. He will also miss Gallagher Premiership matches against top of the table Saracens and Gloucester, as well as a Premiership Rugby Cup match against Bath in the new year. Should he successfully complete a World Rugby Coaching Intervention, he will be available to play against Bath.