Josh Caulfield red card for stamp on Finlay Bealham overturned

Bristol Bears second row Josh Caulfield is free to play after his red card from Friday's Investec Champions Cup Pool 1 game against Connacht was overturned.

Caulfield was sent off by French referee Pierre Brousset after just 12 minutes of Friday's game at the Sportsground, after standing on the head of Connacht prop Finlay Bealham.

The Bristol lock's studs made direct contact with the head of the Ireland international, which left Bealham with considerable marks on the side of his head.

Caulfield appeared before an independent disciplinary committee in recent days, where he faced a suspension under Law 9.12 - A player must not stamp on an opponent.

The Bristol player challenged the ruling that he had committed an act of foul play, and while the committee determined foul play did occur, they deemed it did not reach the red card threshold, with the sending off overturned.

Caulfield is free to play immediately and EPCR has the right to appeal the decision.