RWC 2015: Suspended Scotland duo Ross Ford and Jonny Gray out of rest of tournament

Pair handed three-week bans, but can appeal

Ross Ford was found guilty of making a dangerous tackle during Saturday’s win over Samoa (PA)

Scotland forwards Ross Ford and Jonny Gray are set to miss the rest of the World Cup after being handed three-week bans. They have 48 hours to appeal.

Hooker Ford and lock Gray were punished by World Rugby after their two-man tip tackle during Saturday’s game with Samoa dumped the Pacific Islanders’ flanker Jack Lam on his head.

The pair - both vital members of Vern Cotter’s squad - will now miss Sunday’s quarter-final tie with Australia at Twickenham unless the ruling is overturned.

A spokesman for the national team said they were “disappointed” by judicial officer Christopher Quinlan QC’s decision, adding: “We will consider carefully the full written judgement before making a decision on any future action.”

Both Ford and Gray denied committing an act of foul play but Quinlan ruled otherwise.

World Rugby’s statement on the case said: “Tackles involving a player being lifted off the ground and tipped horizontally and were then either forced or dropped to the ground must be dealt with severely by match officials and all those involved in the disciplinary process.

“With respect to the sanction, the judicial officer deemed the act of foul play merited a low-end entry point, namely four weeks. The judicial officer added one week for aggravation due to the need to deter this type of dangerous foul play.

“However, taking into account mitigating factors including the players’ conduct prior to and at the hearing, their expressions of regret, exemplary characters and excellent disciplinary records, the judicial officer reduced the suspension to a period of three weeks in respect of each player.

“In the context of Rugby World Cup, three weeks equates to three matches and therefore neither player will be available to play for the remainder of Rugby World Cup.”