Rugby:Ulster tighthead prop John Afoa will miss his side's Heineken Cup semi-final against Edinburgh in Aviva Stadium later this month.

Afoa was suspended for four weeks following a Disciplinary Hearing in Dublin. He will be free to play on Monday, May 7th. Both the player and ERC have the right to appeal the decision.

The New Zealand World Cup winner was alleged to have carried out a dangerous tackle on Munster full back Felix Jones during the second half of their Heineken Cup quarter-final last Sunday.

The complaint was made by Citing Commissioner, England’s Peter Larter.

His suspension means that Ulster will probably have to play Tom Court in at tighthead prop against Scottish international loosehead Allan Jacobsen, when the sides meet on April 28th.

The independent Judicial Officer, Jean-Nöel Couraud (France), heard evidence and submissions from Afoa who pleaded not guilty to foul play.

The player was accompanied by Ulster, Director of Rugby David Humphreys, Manager David Millar and legal representative Donal Spring. The Judicial Officer also heard evidence and submissions from ERC Disciplinary Officer, Roger O’Connor.

The citing complaint was upheld and found that Afoa’s offence warranted a red card. Employing the IRB recommended sanctions for Law 10.4(j), it was determined that the offence was at the mid-range entry point of six (6) weeks.

In reference to the IRB’s directive on this pattern of offending (tip tackles), a further one week was added as a deterrent.

Having then considered the mitigating factors, including the player’s clean record, good character, age and experience, the Judicial Officer allowed a reduction of three weeks, before imposing a suspension of four weeks.

.The law Afoa transgressed involves lifting a player from the ground and either dropping or driving that player’s head and/or upper body into the ground whilst the player’s feet are off the ground.

Recommended sanctions range from the low end of three weeks, mid range of 6 weeks and a top end of: 10 to 52 weeks.