Banned Bristol prop Julian White is well aware that his international future is in jeopardy after being hit by a 10-week suspension which will sideline him for England's autumn Tests.

White still has another week in which to decide on a possible appeal against the Rugby Football Union punishment.

If he does not take that route, then the 13 times-capped tighthead will not play again until December 9, ruling him out of England's Twickenham appointments with New Zealand, Australia and South Africa next month.

White has already sat out two club games, including Bristol's Heineken Cup opener against Leinster, with the prospect of more to come.

Even if he appeals, there is no guarantee the ban will be reduced. RFU disciplinary chiefs could maintain the existing sentence, or even increase it.

The suspension was imposed following his sending off for butting England colleague Graham Rowntree during Bristol's Zurich Premiership victory over champions Leicester 16 days ago.

It was the third time in his Premiership career that White had been dismissed, a poor disciplinary record which concerned the RFU panel, England boss Clive Woodward and White himself.

"Rugby is a physical game, and things can sometimes happen, but I have learnt the hard way that I cannot allow myself to get into this situation again," White said.

"It is one thing to be injured and miss matches, but to be suspended like this is very frustrating.

"I am not going to change the way I play, but the next time there is a dust-up like that, then I have to keep my self-control and my hands in my pockets.

"If there is one positive to come out of the whole episode, then it is that I can now work really hard on my fitness and strength, and come back in the best possible shape for the rest of the season."

Woodward is due to announce a squad on Thursday, ahead of the November Tests, which will only increase White's sense of frustration after his costly misdemeanour.

"Clive has made it clear that I have let myself down, and if I want to be involved in the future, then I have to change my ways," he added.

"The door is still open, and it is a chance that I do not intend to waste."

Assuming that White does not appeal, then his earliest England opportunity after December will be the Six Nations Championship opener against France at Twickenham on February 15.

Competition for front-row places is intense though, and White could find himself with a lot of work to do when he eventually resumes a career once again disrupted by suspension.