Dawidiuk ban will stand

Gloucester hooker Darren Dawidiuk has had his appeal against a six-week suspension dismissed by a Rugby Football Union hearing.

Dawidiuk was sent off for a tip tackle in Gloucester's defeat to Bath in the West Country derby on March 1.

Dawidiuk challenged the initial ruling but an appeal panel chaired by Gareth Rees QC upheld the original six-week punishment, and the front-rower will be free to play again on April 22.

An RFU statement said: "Darren Dawidiuk has had his appeal against a six-week suspension dismissed following a hearing in London last night."