Clermont Auvergne back-row forward Julien Bardy has been handed a five-week ban for striking Billy Vunipola in his side's defeat against Saracens on the weekend.
The 29-year-old appeared before a European Professional Club Rugby disciplinary panel in Dublin today, where he was issued the hefty punishment.
Bardy struck Saracens loose forward Vunipola with his knee late on in Clermont's narrow 30-23 defeat at Allianz Park in the European Rugby Champions Cup contest.
Match citing commissioner John Charles brought the initial charge against Bardy.
