Hayes ban reduced to five weeks

Munster and Ireland prop John Hayes' six-week ban has been reduced by seven days following his appeal in Dublin on Tuesday evening.

Hayes was handed the ban last week after it was ruled that he had stamped on Leinster prop Cian Healy in the recent Magners League match.

The reduced ban will not free up Hayes to play any more Munster games.

He is ruled out of Munster's Heineken Cup game against Treviso this weekend and two Magners League matches.

Hayes was already ruled out of Munster's Heineken Cup defeat by Northampton.

However, he is available for all of Ireland's Autumn internationals which start with the game against Australia on 15 November.

The prop will also miss Magners League matches against Edinburgh and Ulster.

Tuesday's appeal hearing at the IRFU's headquarters was chaired by Billy Glynn, chairman of the IRFU appeals committee, and he will be assisted by Leo Galvin and George Spotswood.

The ban was reduced by the one week because of Hayes previous disciplinary record.

Ireland face Australia at Croke Park on Sunday, 15 November.

Declan Kidney's side then tackle Fiji at the RDS on 21 November before finishing up with an eagerly-awaited clash with current World Champions South Africa on 28 November.

Hayes was found guilty of stamping on Leinster prop Healy in the 55th minute at the RDS which resulted in an immediate red card.

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