England's Beckett given three-week suspension
Written by I Dig SportsEngland number eight Sarah Beckett has been banned for three weeks following her red card against Italy in the Six Nations on Sunday.
Beckett was sent off for a dangerous clear-out that resulted in Italy centre Michela Sillari fracturing her leg and requiring surgery.
An independent Disciplinary Committee upheld the red card on Tuesday.
She will miss England's next three Six Nations games against Wales, Scotland and Ireland.
The 25-year-old will be eligible for the Red Roses' final match of the tournament with France on 27 April.
The incident warranted a six-week suspension, said the committee, but that was reduced to three weeks due to Beckett's "remorse, good character and exemplary conduct at the hearing".
The committee added: "The player admitted that she had committed an act of foul play but contended that it had not been worthy of a red card."
Despite being reduced to 14 players for more than 70 minutes, England thrashed Italy 48-0 in Parma.