Grewcock banned for stamping on Ferris

Grewcock was sent off in the 32nd minute of Bath's defeat after referee Jerome Garces saw the former England international stamp on Ferris's arm.

Independent judicial officer Jean-Noel Courard suspended Grewcock until March 13 after determining he was guilty of foul play at a disciplinary hearing in Dublin.

The standard suspension for a mid-range offence is five weeks but Grewcock was hit with an extra fortnight due to his poor disciplinary record.

Grewcock is set to miss six matches, including Guinness Premiership fixtures against London Irish, Worcester, Saracens and Newcastle.

London Irish No 8 Chris Hala'ufia was banned for four weeks after pleading guilty to striking Leinster captain Leo Cullen.

The Tongan international was cited following last Saturday's 11-11 draw at Twickenham, a result which ended the Exiles' Heineken Cup campaign.

Martin Johnson is confident England are heading into the RBS Six Nations with the strongest squad he has been able to select during an often-troubled 18-month reign.

The England manager would not go as far as making a predictions on his side's title chances at the tournament launch at the Hurlingham Club.

But Johnson believes England will prove themselves to be a much stronger force than the injury-ravaged side that provided such limp opposition during the autumn.

Danny Cipriani has withdrawn from England Saxons' squad ahead of Sunday's game against Ireland A after suffering a family bereavement.

The Wasps fly-half had been set to relaunch his stuttering international career with the England second string at The Recreation ground in Bath.