Johnny Sexton: Ireland captain slapped with three-match ban

Johnny Sexton has been given a three-match ban which rules him out of Ireland's Rugby World Cup warm-up matches, but he is free to play in their tournament opener against Romania on 9 September.

An independent disciplinary committee found Sexton had been "confrontational and aggressive" towards referee Jaco Peyer and his fellow officials in the aftermath of Leinster’s Champions Cup final defeat to La Rochelle in May.

He will miss Ireland’s games against Italy, England and Samoa next month, depriving him of the chance to build up his match fitness following a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a groin injury.

Leinster have also been handed a suspended fine of £7,500 [€8,750].

European Professional Club Rugby [EPCR] said in a statement: "Johnny Sexton admitted misconduct. The disciplinary committee found his behaviour confrontational and aggressive towards and disrespectful of the match officials.

"It included his pointing his finger at them and shouting at them something to this effect: 'It's a disgrace you guys can't get the big decisions right' probably accompanied by expletives 'most likely the f-word'.

"His conduct was obviously unsportsmanlike and brought the sport of rugby union into disrepute.

"Having regard to the full circumstances of the misconduct and the mitigation which is set out in detail in the written reasons, the disciplinary committee concluded that the appropriate and proportionate sanction was an immediate suspension of three matches."

Sexton is free to play again on 27 August, the day after Ireland’s final warm-up match against Samoa in Bayonne.

Both Sexton and Leinster have the right to appeal the decisions, which must be done by 4pm on Wednesday.