Five-year ban for Whitehaven player after opponent loses eye

Whitehaven's Callum Jennings has been banned for five years by the Rugby Football Union following an incident which left an opponent blind in one eye.

Jennings was found guilty of "an intentional act of foul play" in March, after making contact with the eye of Alan Hedworth of Aspatria RFC in a hand-off during a match played on 24 October, 2009.

He was initially banned for 78 weeks but launched an appeal after insisting there had been no malice involved.

However, an RFU disciplinary appeal panel decided the charge should be altered, and chose to extend the suspension.

In a statement, the RFU said: "After hearing expert medical and rugby law opinion, the charge was amended to one of striking, contrary to Law 10(4)(a).

"The panel found the act, which caused Hedworth to be blinded in his left eye, to be at the top end of offending. He can play again on March 17, 2015."

l Aviva Premiership newcomers Exeter Chiefs have recruited Highlanders centre Jason Shoemark on a two-year contract.

The 29-year-old, who has captained the New Zealand south island side in the Super 14, will arrive in November upon the conclusion of Hawkes Bay's participation in the ITM Cup.