News in Brief
Punch lands White a two-week ban
Julian White has been banned for two weeks by an RFU disciplinary panel
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- Leicester prop Julian White has been banned for two weeks by an RFU disciplinary panel after being sent off for punching Sale's Andrew Sheridan during their Guinness Premiership match at Welford Road on Saturday.
White will miss this weekend's Heineken Cup quarter-final against Bath and also their next Guinness Premiership game against Saracens on April 19, with his ban set to run out on April 20.
Bath fly-half Butch James was cleared of trampling on Wasps centre Riki Flutey while Worcester hooker Chris Fortey escaped sanction after being cited for a dangerous tackle on Harlequins' Will Skinner
- The Barbarians have confirmed that they will play New Zealand at Twickenham on December 5 following the All Blacks' November tour. The game will complete the Baa Baas' recent tradition of playing a Tri-Nations side in December, with South Africa being beaten 22-5 at Twickenham in 2007 and Australia winning out at Wembley in 2008. This year the Barbarians will also play England at Twickenham on 30 May and Australia at Sydney Football Stadium on 6 June.
New Zealand skipper Richie McCaw played for the Barbarians at Wembley and is now looking forward to facing off against the famous invitation side this time around.
"I had a great time playing for the Barbarians last year and now to get the opportunity to play against them is going to be pretty special," he said. "Matches like this are rare and there is such a long tradition of matches between the All Blacks and the Barbarians, it's going to be huge for the team."
- Glasgow Warriors have confirmed that they will play their home games at Firhill for the next five years. The Warriors have been sharing the ground with Scottish First Division football side Partick Thistle since 2007.
"Glasgow Warriors has grown into a fantastic club and it was important that we secured a consistent playing venue for the team and its supporters," said Glasgow chief executive Ian Riddoch. "Firhill has certainly become a home for us and I'm delighted that we will continue to grow in such a great venue."
- Toulouse may be without fly-half David Skrela for their vital Heineken Cup quarter-final against Cardiff Blues at the Millennium Stadium this weekend. Skrela injured ribs during Toulouse's comfortable Top 14 win over Brive last weekend and may have to be replaced by Frederic Michalak in Cardiff.
A plus point for the three-time champions comes however with the news that both Jean-Baptiste Elissalde and former All Black Byron Kelleher are set to be included in their squad. Cardiff are also struggling with injury worries, with Gareth Thomas and Leigh Halfpenny both fighting to be fit. Halfpenny limped off during the Blues' Magners League loss to Edinburgh with a bruised back while Thomas has been out for six weeks with a hamstring strain.
- Leinster may have to finish their season without fly-half Jonathan Sexton after he was cited for allegedly kicking Munster centre Lifiemi Mafi during their 22-5 Magners League loss at Thomond Park on Saturday. If found guilty Sexton could be banned for anything between four and 12 weeks.
© Scrum.com
1. Max Verstappen ()
