The Welsh Rugby Union will not appeal Gareth Thomas's four-week ban. The decision means Thomas will definitely miss Wales' first three Six Nations games - against Ireland on Sunday, Scotland at Murrayfield on February 10th and the trip to play France a fortnight later.

Thomas will be available for selection from March 1st, though Welsh legend JJ Williams doubts whether he would ever play for Wales again.

Thomas admitted gesturing at Ulster supporters during a controversial Heineken Cup game on January 21 and he was also found guilty of attempting to jump into the crowd.

The European Rugby Cup disciplinary panel ruled Thomas had "lost reason" and hit him with a four-week ban and a £4,960 fine.

The WRU spent the day consulting their lawyers and considering the merits of an appeal against a sanction they believed to be "severe". But, under tournament regulations, Thomas would not have been free to play until the appeal was heard and the decision was made to accept the punishment.

WRU chief executive Roger Lewis said: "We have carefully considered with Gareth Thomas the decision of the disciplinary committee and have also consulted with our lawyers.

"We have paid particular attention to the reasons given by the committee by way of justification of a sentence which we regard as severe.

"While we think there are grounds for challenging the sentence neither Gareth nor the Welsh Rugby Union consider it would be in his best interests, or the best interests of the game, for an appeal to be lodged."

Thomas' actions at the Stade Ernest Wallon were prompted by an alleged scuffle between his team-mate Trevor Brennan and a member of the travelling Ulster support.

Brennan faces a separate ERC hearing on Friday next to answer charges that he entered the seating area and assaulted Patrick Bamford.