Curtis Langdon slapped with lengthy ban after red card for kneeing

Northampton Saints hooker Curtis Langdon has been handed an eight week ban, reduced to four, following the red card he received on Saturday against Munster at Thomond Park.

The 26-year-old was sent off by referee Tual Trainini at the end of the first half of the Investec Champions Cup clash for making reckless contact to the head of Munster lock Thomas Ahern with his knee.

An independent disciplinary committee comprising Rhian Williams (Wales), Chair, Bogdan Zebega (Romania) and Jamie Corsi (Wales) decided to uphold the red card decision at a hearing on Tuesday, and handed the hooker an eight week ban.

Due to the former Worcester Warriors front row's guilty plea and clean disciplinary record, the ban was halved.

With the Gallagher Premiership leaders set to host bottom of the table Newcastle Falcons this Saturday at Franklin's Gardens before a midseason hiatus, it is yet to be determined when Langdon will be available to return.

Both the player and EPCR have the right to appeal the decision.

Despite the red card, the Saints were able to earn an historic 26-23 victory over Munster in Ireland, maintaining an unbeaten record in this season's Champions Cup and earning a home round of 16 tie, coincidentally against Munster.