London Irish coach Brian Smith has received a three-week ban after pleading guilty to abusing match officials. He was also fined £2,000. The ban prevents him doing any match-day coaching for the Guinness Premiership semi-final on May 13th and the European Challenge Cup final against Gloucester a week later.

The suspension means the Australian-born former Leinster and Ireland outhalf is banned from the touchline, tunnel and changing-rooms.

Smith was charged with "conduct prejudicial to the interests of the union and the game" following a Guinness A League game between London Irish and Gloucester on March 27th.

He had been angered by a series of decisions by referee Nick Williams and touch judge James Minards in their handling of the match at Gloucester, which Irish won 12-7. The standard suspension for a coach found guilty of verbally abusing match officials is six weeks, reduced only by mitigating factors.

If London Irish win their Premiership semi-final, Smith's ban will have expired in time for the Twickenham "grand final" on May 27th.

London Irish said: "Two-thirds of the allegations made against Brian were rejected by the disciplinary panel at the hearing. Contrary to the facts contained in the RFU's initial statement, Brian pleaded guilty to the charge of abuse of one match official."

Smith pointed out: "I pleaded guilty to calling the referee a cheat after the Guinness A League game some six weeks ago. The panel accepted that the referee put words into my mouth when he asked me twice if I was calling him a cheat.

"I regret the incident and chose to plead guilty to set an example to the team. Sometimes you make mistakes and when you do it is important to put your hand up when you are wrong and face the music."

Meanwhile, Connacht coach Michael Bradley has made five changes to the side that lost to Cardiff for tomorrow night's Celtic League clash with Edinburgh at the Sportsground (6.30).

Tom Tierney replaces the injured Chris Keane (groin) while David Slemen comes in at fullback with Paul Warwick dropping to the bench. Darren Yapp, having recovered from a hamstring strain, is preferred to Conor McPhillips on the wing.

Up front David Gannon replaces the injured Christian Short (ankle) and Matt Lacey comes in for Michael Swift, with Johnny Muldoon reverting to blindside flanker.

The Ireland under-21 lock David McGowan is among the replacements and could make his debut for the province.

CONNACHT: D Slemen; M Mostyn, J Hearty, G Williams, D Yapp; M McHugh, T Tierney; D McFarland, J Fogarty, S Knoop; D Gannon, A Farley (captain); J Muldoon, M Lacey, C Rigney. Replacements: J Merrigan, A Clarke, D McGowan, M Swift, C O'Loughlin, P Warwick, C McPhillips.