Hooker Azam banned for nine weeks

Azam is the only Frenchman in the Gloucester squad

Gloucester hooker Olivier Azam has been banned for nine weeks for eye gouging.

The Frenchman, 34, is banned until 17 September following the incident in the west country club's EDF Energy Cup final defeat by Cardiff Blues.

Azam was cited for 'making contact with the eyes or eye area' of Blues' Jamie Roberts in April's 50-12 reverse.

The citing was initially dismissed after it was ruled to have been submitted too late, but a subsequent review decided to re-open the case.

As the Cherry and Whites' season is effectively over after they failed to make the Guinness Premiership play-offs, it will have little immediate impact on the France international.