Six Nations: Banned Finn Russell out of Italy game

Russell was judged to have made a 'reckless' tackle on Wales' Dan Biggar. Picture: Ian Rutherford

The 22-year-old was handed a three-week ban, reduced by a week for his clean record, after appearing before a disciplinary panel in London on Wednesday.

Russell avoided a lengthy ban as the Six Nations’ disciplinary officers judged his tackle on Dan Biggar in Sunday’s 26-23 defeat to Wales to be “reckless rather than deliberate”.

Russell collided with Biggar as his Wales counterpart leapt for a high ball during the first half of Scotland’s slender Murrayfield defeat.

Ospreys playmaker Biggar landed in a heap, but avoided serious injury and was able to continue.

New Zealand referee Glen Jackson sin-binned Russell, but a Six Nations disciplinary committee ruled the offence warranted a red card.

“The disciplinary committee decided that the offence was reckless rather than deliberate,” read a Six Nations statement.

“The committee considered it at the lower end of World Rugby’s scale of seriousness, carrying a three-week suspension.

“It noted the absence of aggravating factors and the existence of certain mitigating factors, including the player’s clear disciplinary record, in applying a one-week reduction from the entry point.”

Scotland host Italy at Murrayfield in a third-round Six Nations tie on Saturday, February 28.

Russell will miss that clash, but will be available for the final two matches, against England and Ireland.