Clohessy to appeal against lengthy ban

Rugby Union

Peter Clohessy, banned for 26 playing weeks on Sunday after being found guilty of foul play during Ireland's 45-10 defeat in Paris, is to appeal against the ban.

In a statement yesterday the prop said: "I wish to state my regret at the unfortunate incident involving myself and Olivier Roumat. It happened in the momentum of a gathering ruck situation and was without malicious intent.

"I apologise to the player and further state that I intend to appeal the severity of the sentence imposed on me."

England A have made six changes for their game against Italy A on 2 March. Dave Sims is recalled at lock for the match in Laquila and replaces Garath Archer, who wins his first senior cap against Scotland at Murrayfield on the same day.

Rory Jenkins comes back at open-side flanker instead of Richard Hill, who has dislocated fingers. Peter Mensah returns to the centre for Will Greenwood, while Andy Gomarsall comes back at scrum-half instead of Austin Healey. Phil Greening replaces Richard Cockerill at hooker and Kevin Yates returns at loose-head prop, with Richard Hardwick switching to tight-head instead of Darren Garforth.

Chester Williams, the South African winger, is out for at least seven months after injuring his right leg playing a pre-season friendly for Western Province. Medical tests yesterday diagnosed a medial ligament injury which will require surgery.

ENGLAND A (v Italy A, Laquila, Italy, Saturday, 2 March): T Stimpson (West Hartlepool); P Hull (Bristol), A Blyth (West Hartlepool), P Mensah (Harlequins), A Adebayo (Bath); A King (Bristol University), A Gomarsall (Wasps); K Yates (Bath), P Greening (Gloucester), R Hardwick (Coventry), D Sims (Gloucester), J Fowler (Sale), M Corry (Bristol), A Diprose (Saracens, capt), R Jenkins (Harlequins). Replacements: D O'Leary (Harlequins), W Greenwood (Harlequins), A Healey (Orrell), R Cockerill (Leicester), D Garforth (Leicester), C Sheasby (Harlequins).