Scotland duo available for Australia match after seeing bans overturned

Lock Jonny Gray and hooker Ross Ford are free to play with immediate effect after their appeals against their three-week suspensions were upheld

Jonny Gray and Ross Ford were banned for an allegedly dangerous tackle on Jack Lam (gettyimages)

Scotland forwards Jonny Gray and Ross Ford are free to play against Australia in Sunday's World Cup quarter final after winning appeals against their three-week suspensions.

The pair were slapped with the bans for a double tackle on Samoa's Jack Lam during Scotland's final Pool B match, but they are now able to resume playing immediatly, after their appeals were upheld.

Both players were left out of Vern Cotter's match-day squad for the quarter final clash with the Wallabies at Twickenham, but the kiwi coach can make changes to his squad up until an hour before kcik off at 4pm. .

Fraser Brown had been selected at hooker in Ford's absence while Tim Swinson was called up to the second row to replace Gray.

In a statement, Scottish Rugby chief executive Mark Dodson said: "We are delighted to see justice has been done. Ross and Jonny are now free to rejoin the tournament, ahead of the biggest game for Scottish Rugby in recent years.

"We find it hugely disappointing they were put in this position by a judicial process, which is inconsistent and unfair. Justice delayed is justice denied.

"It is regrettable that this has overshadowed a massive week for the sport and our focus continues to be on the match against Australia."

The appeals were upheld at the London offices of the official law firm for the Rugby World Cup after being heard by an appeal committee.

Both players have denied foul play since the incident occured, but Gray was found gulity of committing an illegal tip tackle during Scotland's 33-36 win and Ford was banned for breaching rules on dangerous tackles.

A statement on the Rugby World Cup website read: "Having conducted a detailed review of all the evidence, including new submissions from the players and their representatives, along with all available camera angles, the appeal committee dismissed the finding that the players had committed an act of foul play as the player had not been dropped or driven and therefore the tackle was not dangerous."