Rugby evening headlines as Dan Biggar banned for incident that sparked clash with fan

Here are the latest rugby evening headlines on Wednesday, April 20.

Wales captain and Northampton Saints fly-half Dan Biggar has been banned for three weeks for the red card he received for a dangerous tackle on Gloucester's Chris Harris during the Challenge Cup clash on Saturday.

The incident sparked a clash between the Wales captain and a supporter at Franklin's Gardens who verbally abused him as he left the pitch. Stewards reportedly had to step in to calm the situation.

Biggar was sent off in the 51st minute of the last-16 bout by referee Sam Grove-White and the incident went before an independent disciplinary panel on Wednesday. Submissions were heard from Biggar, who accepted the red card decision, Northampton team manager Maurice Hartery and EPCR disciplinary officer Liam McTiernan before the panel upheld the red card and deemed it to warrant being a mid-range entry point of six weeks from World Rugby's sanctions.

An EPCR statement said: "Given his guilty plea and clear disciplinary record, and as there were no aggravating factors, it was decided to grant the full 50% mitigation and the committee therefore reduced the sanction by three weeks before imposing a three-week suspension. Because of Northampton Saints’ forthcoming fixture schedule, Biggar is free to play on Monday, May 23, however, if he applies for and completes a World Rugby Coaching Intervention, he will be free to play on Monday, May 2.

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