RUGBY/NEWS ROUND-UP: Irish  prop Peter Clohessy departed Dublin to the Irish training camp in Limerick last night exonerated of charges of racial and discriminatory comments, which were alleged by Castres to have been directed at their Ivory Coast player Ismaela Lassissi. The citation case brought against the 49 times capped front row was withdrawn by Castres at the hearing last night in Dublin before any discussion took place.

The other issue, a case brought by Munster against Lassissi for biting Clohessy on the forearm during last Saturday's Heineken European Cup pool match in Castres, was found proved on the balance of probabilities.

As a result the three-man European Rugby Cup disciplinary committee of Doug Hunter of Scotland, English lawyer John Spencer and Welsh solicitor and chairman Terry Vaux imposed a penalty of 12 months suspension on Lassissi for biting, to be served from yesterday. No orders for costs were made against either party.

The Munster management indicated that they would not take the case any further. The disciplinary committee chairman Vaux pointed out that under the rules of the International Rugby Board there was a mechanism in place to take a case of misconduct against Castres if Munster so wished. A civil case is also an option but that decision is Clohessy's alone.

Clohessy had to endure five days of defamatory comments from Castres during which he was called a cheat and a racist by club officials, allegations which were yesterday shown to have no foundation.

Neither Clohessy nor Lassissi made themselves available for comment, although a source at the hearing described the Ivory Coast player as tearful when he was handed the suspension.

"We heard evidence from Peter Clohessy, the Munster doctor and a video of the incident," said Vaux. "We saw photographs of Peter Clohessy's injury. We also saw and heard evidence from Mr Lassissi. Having heard all the evidence we were unanimously satisfied, on the balance of probabilities, that Mr Lassissi had bitten Peter Clohessy.

"In his evidence Mr Lassissi admitted that there were circumstances that his mouth may have come in contact with Mr Clohessy, although he denied biting, or, didn't remember biting.

"One thing is important to point out. In the citation by Munster no allegation whatsoever was made of any racial or other abuse in relation to justification of what had happened," said Vaux.

In treating Lassissi as a good character, the committee imposed the lower of the recommended sanctions available. For this decision the committee cited provocation and the fact that the bite did not appear to be premeditated.

"In the video it seemed Peter Clohessy had slipped his initial binding and was seeking to bind on Mr Lassissi, who was not a front-row player," said Vaux. "It seemed that in the heat of the moment and in seeking to free himself from Mr Clohessy's grasp, this (bite) was likely to have happened."

The Munster management, looking more relieved than satisfied, expressed no real opinion other than that it was over. "Peter at all times denied the allegation of misconduct. It is the first time Munster have ever cited an opposing player. We felt it was our duty to Peter and to the Munster team to cite Mr Lassissi," said manager Jerry Holland.

Meanwhile, London Irish flanker Kieron Dawson could be out of action for up to six weeks after the results of a scan taken this week revealed cartilage damage to a knee. Dawson injured himself before Christmas and has returned to London where it is expected that he will have to undergo microscopic surgery.

Other injuries in the Irish camp continue to cause concern for coach Eddie O'Sullivan. Keith Wood has returned to London and is doubtful while Malcolm O'Kelly, with a bruised cheekbone/eyesocket is also a worry.

Peter Stringer's ankle injury appears to be improving and management hope to see him take part in Munster's European Cup quarter-final in Paris next weekend while prop Emmet Byrne trained but needs match practice. Denis Hickie took a knock on the shoulder but should be alright while Clohessy indicated a back problem but nothing too serious. David Humphreys' ankle appears to be getting better while Reggie Corrigan's ankle ligament injury has improved dramatically .

The Lions back-row Colin Charvis has lost his Wales place for the Six Nations Championship opener against Ireland in Dublin on February 3rd. But Charvis is in good company as lock Andy Moore, back Gareth Thomas and flanker Gavin Thomas also miss out on a place in Graham henry's 22-man squad.