Leicester have suspended their England international prop Julian White for one week. White will as a result miss today's English Premiership clash against Newcastle at Welford Road.

The 34-year-old faces a disciplinary hearing in Dublin next Wednesday after being cited for punching Malcolm O'Kelly during Leicester's Heineken European Cup victory over Leinster last weekend.

But Tigers officials hit White with a seven-day ban following an internal hearing yesterday.

"Julian immediately accepted his guilt of the offence and has said he is very sorry for his loss of control," said Leicester in a statement.

"He knows that he has let down his team-mates and the supporters. He has apologised in respect of the incident and has been banned for seven days. He will miss the Guinness Premiership match against Newcastle this weekend." White must now await the decision of an independent disciplinary committee next week.

Saracens have announced the signing of the Wales international forward Michael Owen.

Owen, capped 41 times, has agreed a two-year contract and will move to Vicarage Road in time for next season.

He follows Saracens' capture of the Bath and England lock Steve Borthwick, who recently signed a four-year deal.

Owen was Wales captain during part of their 2005 Grand Slam campaign. He joins Saracens from the Magners League side Newport Gwent Dragons.

Owen also toured New Zealand with the 2005 Lions, and he joins his compatriot Dwayne Peel in moving out of Wales, the Llanelli Scarlets scrumhalf having recently agreed terms with Sale Sharks.

Though currently out of favour in Test terms, Owen could prove a valuable recruit for the Heineken Cup quarter-finalists Saracens, given his ability to play in the second row or back row.

"When the opportunity came up, I met with the club and I was very excited about the future for Saracens and I wanted to be part of it," said Owen. "It is a big decision to leave the Dragons and move my family, but it is one which feels right."

The South Africa wing Bryan Habana, the 2007 International Rugby Board player of the year, would choose France ahead of Britain if he were to play abroad.

In an interview with Sport magazine published yesterday, Habana said, "I really don't like the weather (in Britain) - it's very cold, the sun sets too early and people in the street never look very happy. I could see myself playing in the south of France - plenty of sunshine and you only have to go to England when you play in the Heineken Cup."

Habana (24) topped the try-scoring table at last year's World Cup with eight.