Antoine Dupont to miss Munster clash due to suspension

Antoine Dupont will miss Toulouse' Champions Cup opener against Munster next month, after being suspended for four weeks following his red card for France against South Africa last week.

The French captain was sent-off following a dangerous tackle on Springbok wing Cheslin Kolbe, with his former Toulouse teammate landing on his head after the aerial collision.

World Player of the Year Dupont appeared before an independent disciplinary committee this week, with his red card falling under Law 9.17 (a player must not tackle, charge, pull, push or grasp an opponent whose feet are off the ground).

The disciplinary committee deemed the foul play to be worthy of an eight-week starting point, but after the player's admission of guilt, clean disciplinary record and apology, they reduced the suspension by 50%, giving him a four-week/game suspension.

It means the 26-year-old will miss France's final Autumn Nations Series game against Japan this Sunday, as well as Toulouse's Top 14 meetings with Lyon and Perpignan, and their Champions Cup opener against Munster on 11 December at Thomond Park.

Dupont has 48 hours to appear the decision.

Meanwhile, South Africa flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit has been suspended for three weeks, after he was also shown a red card in that game.

The Springbok was sent off in the opening half after a dangerous clearout on France's Jonathan Danty.

After deeming Du Toit's actions to be "reckless" rather than intentional, he was given an initial six-week/game suspension, which was also reduced by 50% due to his previous good conduct.

However, his suspension could be further reduced to two weeks, should he complete World Rugby's Coaching Intervention Programme.

The flanker will definitely be suspended for the Springboks'