Stade Francais scrum-half Julien Dupuy's appeal against a six-month ban for gouging will be heard at Heathrow airport, London on January 13, ERC have confirmed.
The France international was given the lengthy suspension for gouging Ulster's Stephen Ferris during the sides' Heineken Cup pool clash at Ravenhill in December and will miss the Six Nations as a consequence. Stade hooker David Attoub will also learn his fate on the same day as the disciplinary committee after his initial hearing for the same offence was postponed to gather more evidence.
Stade owner Max Guazzini branded Dupuy's ban "anti-French" and the Paris club will hope the it is significantly reduced as it has left them with a crisis at No.9 following an injury to Noel Oelschig. Perpignan prop Jerome Schuster has also been summoned to Heathrow to face charges of allegedly striking Munster's Denis Leamy in their clash at Stade Aime Giral.
Toulon are confident that Jonny Wilkinson will remain in France next season, even though the England international has an opt out clause that comes into effect this summer.
"He hasn't signed yet," Director of Rugby Philippe Saint-Andre said. "So you never know, but he likes it here and I hope he will stay for one more year. There is less pressure on him here and he looks happy. I have spoken with his agent and his dad and there are a few things to sort out, but I am confident he will stay. The salary cap will not be a problem."
The Ospreys have denied reports in the Welsh media that James Hook is about to move to the Cardiff Blues and that Gareth Thomas is set move in the opposite direction to become a player coach at the region.
"We would like to make it absolutely clear that James remains contracted to the Ospreys, and that Gareth has not been offered a Player-Coach role with the region," a club statement read. "Not only is speculation such as this unhelpful, it can also be unsettling for all concerned, particularly at such an important time of the season with important Heineken Cup games on the immediate horizon, which require 100% focus from players and coaches alike."
Newcastle Falcons prop John Golding has been ruled out until mid-February with a rib injury he picked up in his side's away win over Wasps on Saturday.
The news will come as a blow to England coach Martin Johnson as the uncapped front-row was strongly tipped to feature in his Six Nations squad. Wasps have also confirmed that Phil Vickery will not return until the end of February.
Cardiff Blues prop Gary Powell has been cited for an alleged stamp during his side's 26-0 defeat at the hands of the Ospreys on New Year's Day. The WRU disciplinary hearing will take place today. Powell was also sinbinned for a seperate incident during tha game.
Saracens fullback Michael Horak, 32, has announced his retirement from professional rugby with immediate effect. Horak joined the Premiership leaders from Benetton Treviso over the summer but has struggled for game-time.
"This has not been an easy decision," he said. "I feel it is the best option for myself and my family."
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1. Max Verstappen ()
