Italy flanker Mauro Bergamasco will miss Saturday's match with Ireland after receiving a four-week ban for punching Wales captain Stephen Jones.
The suspension also means Bergamasco, who plays his club rugby for Stade Francais, will miss the Heineken Cup quarter-final against Leicester on April 1st.
The 27-year-old, who attended the disciplinary hearing in London tonight, won't be free to resume playing on April 9th.
Jones required four stitches and suffered problems with his vision after being struck by a swinging arm in the first half of Italy's 23-20 victory.
Jones was today passed fit to start for Wales against England on Saturday, but the loss of Bergamasco will be a huge blow for Italy, who are already without key centre Gonzalo Canale.
Bergamasco is a talented and versatile operator and scored the winning try against Wales. He had started the game at openside flanker before moving to the centre after Canale limped off with a thigh injury.
There was some positive news for Azzurri coach Pierre Berbizier with centre Matteo Barbini, hooker Fabio Ongaro and flanker Josh Sole all returning to training.
