Rugby-France's Vahaamahina handed six-week ban for World Cup red card

France lock Sebastien Vahaamahina has been suspended for six weeks for his red card in their World Cup quarter-final defeat by Wales last week, World Rugby said on Thursday. France was leading 19-10 in Oita, Japan when Vahaamahina elbowed Wales forward Aaron Wainwright in the face and was sent off. The French were reduced to 14 men and went on to lose the match 20-19.

Vahaamahina admitted to the act of the foul play, accepting that the offense warranted a red card. "Vahaamahina will miss his next six matches with his club Clermont Auvergne," World Rugby said in a statement. "Therefore the player is free to play again on Dec. 16, 2019."

Although the entry point for punishment was 10 weeks, the committee reduced it by four weeks after Vahaamahina acknowledged his conduct and apologized to Wainwright. The 28-year-old Vahaamahina announced his international retirement after France were knocked out of the World Cup.