France will be without Toulouse centre Florian Fritz for the next two Six Nations matches after he was banned for three weeks. Fritz was cleared of eye-gouging at a hearing today but found guilty of the lesser offence of striking.

Fritz had been charged with eye-gouging following an incident early in the second half involving Stephen Ferris. However, the disciplinary committee found that the 25-year-old had “not deliberately made contact with the eyes or eye area of his Irish opponent”.

Instead, Fritz was handed a striking charge and will now miss this weekend’s meeting with Scotland and the visit of defending champions Wales to Paris on Friday, February 27th.

France coach Marc Lievremont said before the ban was announced that the Toulouse player would be replaced by Benoit Baby against the Scots if he was suspended. Maxime Mermoz has already joined the squad as a replacement cover.

France team manager Jo Maso was seemingly relieved by the disciplinary panel’s verdict.

“The gouging was not recognised,” he told www.lequipe.fr. “I am thrilled and delighted we can hold our heads high because it is not this horrible act that has been punished.

“We regret this gesture but French rugby is not dirty.”