Northampton and Ireland flanker Neil Best's appeal against an 18-week suspension for eye-gouging has been dismissed by a Rugby Football Union panel. As a result, the 29-year-old remains suspended until January 27th of next year.
The hefty ban rules Best out of the November programme of internationals and places his involvement in the Six Nations in serious doubt as it expires just over a week before Ireland get their campaign underway.
On the domestic front, the ban covers eight rounds of Northampton's Premiership action and all of their European Challenge Cup and EDF Energy Cup pool matches.
Best was suspended last Wednesday after admitting he had "made contact with the eye or eye area" of Wasps flanker James Haskell during Saints' 24-20 victory at Franklin's Gardens.
It was only Best's third game for the club following his summer move from Ulster. The RFU panel accepted Best had not intentionally searched for Haskell's eye.
But they did not agree with Best's account that contact with Haskell's eye had been "fleeting" and described his actions as "grave".
Northampton decided to challenge the ban after taking legal advice but the RFU appeal panel threw out their case at a London hearing this evening.
