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Byrne cleared for England clash

Lee Byrne has been cleared to face England in the Six Nations © Getty Images

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Wales fullback Lee Byrne has been cleared to face England in their Six Nations opener at Twickenham on Saturday.

The 29-year-old won an appeal against a two-week ban imposed following his brief appearance as a 16th player in the Ospreys' Heineken Cup victory over Leicester 10 days ago. An independent appeal committee decided Byrne's sanction should be varied to a 5,000 euros fine.

Byrne admitted a misconduct charge last Friday and was suspended, but Wales head coach Warren Gatland delayed his team announcement for the England game until Wednesday in the hope Byrne might be available. The British & Irish Lions star is now set to line up at Twickenham when Wales will chase a fourth successive Six Nations win against their hosts.

The appeal committee's decision was announced almost four hours after Byrne's hearing began in Glasgow. In a statement, European Rugby Cup said: "An independent appeal committee allowed the appeal brought by Ospreys player Lee Byrne against the level of sanction imposed by an independent disciplinary hearing. The appeal was against the level of sanction imposed by the original independent disciplinary hearing on January 29, who had found Mr Byrne guilty of a misconduct complaint arising from the Heineken Cup match against Leicester Tigers in that he had re-entered the pitch without the referee's permission and that he knew, or ought to have known, that he needed that permission.

"The independent appeal committee, chaired by Rod McKenzie (Scotland) and also comprising Professor Lorne Crerar (Scotland) and Bill Dunlop (Scotland), found that Mr Byrne had demonstrated that the original decision had been in error and the sanction should be varied to a fine of 5,000 euros. Mr Byrne is free to play again."

Leicester, whose defeat meant they were knocked out of Europe, lodged an official complaint with ERC after Byrne went back on following his departure due to a bloodied toe. Sonny Parker had replaced him three minutes earlier, but the Ospreys briefly had 16 players on the field until fly-half Dan Biggar then left the action. Like Byrne, the Ospreys were hit with a misconduct complaint, receiving a fine of 25,000 euros.

Byrne missed Wales' entire autumn Test series due to injury, but his successful appeal has also freed up James Hook for a likely midfield role alongside Jamie Roberts. Had Byrne remained suspended until February 12, then Hook was expected to retain the number 15 shirt he wore as Byrne's autumn deputy, with Andrew Bishop probably partnering Roberts.

Gatland though, can now announce a side set to feature seven survivors from the side that beat England 26-19 at Twickenham two years ago - Byrne, Hook, Shane Williams, Adam Jones, Alun-Wyn Jones, Martyn Williams and captain Ryan Jones.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.