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Ireland's Ringrose banned for Six Nations showdown against France / Photo: FRANCK FIFE - AFP
Ireland's Ringrose banned for Six Nations showdown against France
Garry Ringrose will miss Ireland's crucial Six Nations clash against France on March 8 after being handed a three-match ban for his red card against Wales.
However, the Leinster centre could be free to face Italy on the final weekend of the Six Nations.
Ringrose was shown a 20-minute red card in Ireland's 27-18 win in Cardiff for head-on-head contact with Wales' Ben Thomas.
A disciplinary committee determined the act of foul play constituted the mid-range point of sanction of six weeks or matches.
That ban was then reduced 50 percent to three based on the player's previous good record.
Ringrose is suspended for Leinster's URC clash against Cardiff and France's visit to Dublin.
But the third match of his ban will be lifted should he complete World Rugby's coaching intervention programme, freeing the 30-year-old to line up against Italy in Rome on March 15.
Ireland have won their first three games of the Six Nations to remain on course for a third consecutive championship and second Grand Slam in three years.
France trail the holders by three points heading in to their crunch meeting, but Les Bleus' massive points difference advantage means victory in Dublin would put them in pole position to win the championship.
Captain Caelan Doris and hooker Ronan Kelleher could return after sitting out the win in Cardiff due to injury.
S.Escobar--HdM
