Slap on the wrist! Ireland captain Sexton free to play in Rugby World Cup despite ban

Johnny Sexton will be free to captain Ireland in the Rugby World Cup after receiving a three-game ban for misconduct announced by European rugby chiefs on Sunday.

But the 38-year-old flyhalf will miss next month's warm-up matches against Italy, England and Samoa.

Sexton faced a disciplinary hearing over "misconduct complaints" after exchanging words with South African referee Jaco Peyper following his club Leinster's loss to La Rochelle in the Champions Cup final in Dublin on 20 May, a match the injured Sexton did not play in.

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The charge can carry a long ban, but a statement issued by European Professional Club Rugby on behalf of an independent disciplinary committee said: "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.

"He (Sexton) is suspended with immediate effect and cannot play in the following Ireland matches: 1. August 5, Italy; 2. August 19, England; 3. August 26, Samoa."

Leading contenders Ireland open their World Cup campaign against Romania in Bordeaux on 9 September.

The committee, whose hearing started on Thursday, also gave Irish province Leinster a suspended £7 500 fine for not exercising reasonable control over their player.

Leinster's agonising 27-26 loss to La Rochelle was their second straight narrow defeat to the French side in European club rugby's showpiece match.

The committee found Sexton, who admitted misconduct, had engaged in behaviour that was "confrontational and aggressive towards, and disrespectful of the