Bristol Bears forward Santiago Grondona has been given a three-match ban by the Rugby Football Union after being sent off during their Premiership win against Exeter.

The Argentina international was shown the red card in the 29th minute of the match last Saturday for a head-on-head tackle on Chiefs' back row Martin Moloney.

The 26-year-old admitted the charge at an independent panel hearing this week and was given the ban, which will be reduced to two games if he completes a World Rugby coaching intervention programme.

Grondona, who has made 11 appearances for Bristol this season, will miss their Premiership match away to Gloucester this Saturday, at home to Leicester on 20 April and potentially the trip to Northampton Saints on 26 April.

Moloney suffered a broken nose as a result of the tackle but a medical report detailed there was no signs of concussion.