NEWCASTLE and Ireland prop Nick Popplewell could still face a ban from the Rugby Football Union (RFU) for the punch which floored Bedford's Scott Murray.

Popplewell escaped with a fine - believed to be £1,000 - and a warning from his club for Saturday's incident, which left lock forward Murray needing hospital treatment. But RFU national disciplinary officer Roy Manock is now poised to intervene, while Bedford have protested that the punishment is too lenient.

"Earlier in the week I asked the secretary of the Rugby Union, Tony Hallett, to contact Newcastle and ask them to give an explanation of the episode and what they intended to do," said Manock.

"I have not received Newcastle's report but when I do and after I have studied the video I will decide if any further action needs to be taken and what it should be."

Manock has the power to create a special disciplinary panel to arbitrate on Popplewell, who would have faced a minimum ban of one month if he had been sent off for his blow instead of merely being yellow carded by referee Steve Lauder.

Newcastle's director of rugby Rob Andrew imposed the punishment after viewing television footage of the attack. But by only imposing a fine Newcastle have enabled him to play on as they intensify their push for promotion.

Bedford issued a club statement saying: "The punishment would hardly appear to fit the crime, especially as the punch could have endangered not only a young man's eyesight but also his whole future in the game. The incident has been roundly condemned by many neutral observers as a sending off offence and probably, therefore, a suspension. But we prefer to let those comments speak for themselves.

"It is disappointing that there does not appear to have been any expression of remorse from Newcastle, but the last thing we want to do is get involved in a war of words.