Scotland will hope to have forwards Jonny Gray and Ross Ford available to face Australia in their World Cup quarterfinal on Sunday after appealing against the three week ban handed to the pair.

Hooker Ford and lock Gray were punished after being found guilty of dumping Samoa's Jack Lam on his head with an illegal two-man tip tackle in their final Pool B clash at St James' Park last Saturday.

The Scottish Rugby Union announced on Twitter: "Scottish Rugby can confirm it will appeal against the suspensions given to Ross Ford and Jonny Gray following the RWC match vs Samoa."

World Rugby has drawn criticism for the severity of the bans, with former Scotland international Kenny Logan branding the three-week suspensions "a sick joke" and Australia head coach Michael Cheika admitting he "felt for" Ford and Gray.

Scotland's appeal comes after it emerged referee Jaco Peyper told citing officials he thought the duo's tackle did not warrant further punishment. The South African saw the incident in Newcastle and decided not to act.

However, World Rugby rules state the referee's opinion can be ruled 'inadmissible', allowing the independent judicial officer who ruled on the case in Tuesday to ignore his views.

The Scottish Daily Mail have reported Peyper's comments which were included in the 16-page report into the case in which he said: "I can confirm I indeed saw the incident live referred to in the citing complaint. Samoa No.7 [Jack Lam] found himself in position competing for the ball with his head below his hips already.

"The Scotland arriving players, No.5 [Jonny Gray] and No.2 [Ross Ford] in an attempt to remove the threat to possession as per normal and in the dynamics lifted Samoa No.7's legs and he tumbled over, however the player [was] supported on his hands throughout.

"After our internal performance review process, I am satisfied that I dealt with the incident appropriately."