Bath's Danny Grewcock gets seven weeks for Heineken Cup stamping

The Bath lock Danny Grewcock has been banned for seven weeks after being sent off for stamping on the arm of the Ulster flanker Stephen Ferris in a Heineken Cup match at the Recreation Ground last weekend. The former England forward, who appeared before a disciplinary panel in Dublin today, will not be able to play for Bath until 13 March as he serves his eighth suspension in the professional game. However, he will only miss four Premiership games as the Six Nations interrupts the schedule. Grewcock, who will turn 37 this year and who has not decided if he will play next season, is no stranger to the ­disciplinary process. His poor record – he missed the 2007 World Cup after being given a six-week ban for punching – was a factor in his being given two weeks more than the recommended ban for a stamping offence that is deemed to be in the mid-range level of seriousness. The London Irish No8 Chris Hala'Ufia will not play until the end of next month after being banned for four weeks. The Samoan pleaded guilty after being cited for punching the Leinster lock Leo ­Cullen during last Saturday's Heineken Cup match at Twickenham. Jonny Wilkinson will stay at Toulon for another season. The ­Top 14 club are on course for a place in next season's Heineken Cup after a 31-19 defeat of Montpellier yesterday put them fourth in the table. Wilkinson is the leading points' scorer in the tournament. London Irish today extended the contract of their defence coach, Dave Ellis, until the end of next season. He will ­continue to work with France. "It is another sign of this club's aim of ranking among the best in this country and Europe," said the Exiles' director of rugby, Toby Booth. The former South Africa flanker Ruben Kruger, a 1995 World Cup winner, has died at the age of 39 from brain cancer. He scored the try against France in the semi-final that took the Springboks to the final against New Zealand but later admitted it should not have been awarded.