Rugby:Clermont Auvergne lock Jamie Cudmore has received a five-week ban after being sent off for punching Paul O'Connell in last weekend's Heineken Cup clash against Munster.

The Canadian international was dismissed by English referee Chris White for the offence.

A three-man independent disciplinary committee met in London today, suspending Cudmore after deciding his offence was "mid-range" in its level of seriousness for striking.

Cudmore, who has the right of appeal, is banned from December 13th up to, and including, January 18th.