Julien Dupuy's 23-week gouging ban is anti-French, says Stade president

The Stade Français president, Max Guazzini, will fight the 23-week ban given to Julien Dupuy for eye-gouging Ulster's Stephen Ferris during last month's Heineken Cup match in Belfast, calling the punishment unjustified and anti-French.

Under French law, the scrum-half's ban, which was reduced by one week to 23 on appeal, has to be ratified by the relevant body in France, the Ligue Nationale de Rugby. LNR has the power to reduce or overturn the suspension, meaning Dupuy would be able to play in the French league while remaining banned from the Heineken Cup.

"It is a very heavy sanction," Guazzini said. "They European Rugby Cup Ltd wanted to make an example and the fact Dupuy is French probably played a role. Ferris told the hearing there was no gouging and that he was slapped and the ban was excessive, totally unjustified. We will not leave it here and we will be making representations to LNR and the French Rugby Federation."

The France coach, Marc Lièvremont, has a problem at scrum-half with Dupuy banned and Dimitri Yachvili missing at least the first three rounds of the Six Nations after suffering a knee injury playing for Biarritz against Stade last weekend.

France are the bookmakers' favourites to win the Six Nations but Ugo Monye believes England have what it takes to win the tournament for the first time since 2003, the year they went on to win the World Cup.

"We definitely should go into the Six Nations believing that we can win it," the England wing said. "It will be difficult. It is definitely possible that we can win it and we have to have belief to go with our high expectations. We have players who are playing well for their teams domestically and we just need them to transfer that form on to the international stage. We have excellent coaches and the criticism we all received last November made us stronger as a unit."

Chris Ashton, the Northampton wing who was included in the England squad this week, has signed a new two-year contract with the Saints, while Scott Lawson and Alasdair Strokosch, both Scotland internationals, have agreed new deals with Gloucester.

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Biggar heaps pressure on rival Jones

WALES have acknow- ledged that Dan Biggar is challenging hard to start against England next month — but Stephen Jones remains in pole position to face the old enemy.

Ospreys man Biggar will have the chance to further press his claims on Saturday when he features in the Heineken Cup's match of the weekend against Clermont Auvergne at Stade Marcel Michelin.

He showed himself to be a serious threat to Jones's supremacy as Wales's fly-half with imperious displays in the derbies against the Scarlets and the Blues over Christmas.

But Jones's quality and 89 caps' worth of experience — 83 appearances for Wales, six for the Lions — is standing him in good stead in the eyes of the Welsh selectors.

''We are just fortunate to have people pushing each other for places,'' said attack coach Robert Howley.

''Of course Dan is in contention for a place in the Six Nations.

"He has played particularly well over the past year and is developing all the time as a player.

''He has helped the Ospreys on to their upward curve. You look at almost any side who are going well and you will find their fly-half is playing well. He is a key decision-maker in the team.

''But in Stephen Jones we have a Lions Test fly-half who has vast experience with Wales, which counts for a lot.

''While Stephen is probably in a favourable position to play against England, Dan has certainly matured quickly and is challenging.''

Jones has been sidelined by a shoulder injury he sustained against the Dragons, an untimely problem the Scarlets, and Warren Gatland for that matter, could have done without.

But Biggar will be looking to build on his festive form and underline that he can produce when it matters with a big performance against Clermont.

Particularly pleasing for Howley was that Biggar had taken on board what the Wales coaches had told him in the autumn.

''We told Dan that he needed to develop his attacking game, and the signs are that he has done exactly that,'' said Howley.

''He challenged the Blues' defensive line and was a running threat, attacking the 9-10 hinge. His kicking also put the Ospreys into areas where they were able to exert pressure.

''All in all, his displays were good to see.''

Not such good news for Howley is the fly-half issue beyond Biggar and Jones.

Concern

''There is a concern,'' he admitted. ''We have four regions and at two of those non-Welsh players will be the first-choice outside- halves next season (Dan Parks at the Blues and James Arlidge at the Dragons).

''We would want the four regional first-choice 10s to be Welsh if possible..

Reuniting half-back pair would a-Peel to Scarlets boss Nigel

THE Scarlets are hoping they can reunite Wales fly-half Stephen Jones with his former half-back partner Dwayne Peel.

After Jones stated over the weekend he wanted to see his career out at the Scarlets, the attention has turned to trying to lure Peel back to the Llanelli-based region.

The Lions scrum-half left the Scarlets in 2008 for Sale but his current two-year deal runs out at the Manchester-based club at the end of the season.

The Scarlets are trying to attract Peel and his current team-mate Eifion Lewis Roberts to Wales with Warren Gatland wanting his top players performing at one of the four Welsh regions.

And it is this policy that Scarlets supremo Nigel Davies believes could attract Peel back home after the scrum-half was not allowed to play in the autumn international against New Zealand last November.

“The move to Sale has probably been a difficult one for Dwayne and I am sure it has not been an easy transition,” said Davies.

“He would have enjoyed it though I am sure because it has been a different environment for him.

“Now Dwayne has experienced rugby outside of Wales now, I am sure he is keen to get back.

“Warren Gatland has made some clear statements that he wants his Welsh squad to be based in Wales.

“The luxuries that gives Warren is the release of players and the fact we can look after them better here in Wales.

“That has got to be an attractive proposal for him.”

But Davies still refused to be drawn on whether the Scarlets had held talks with their former player.

“I am not going to comment on any specific cases, but as I have said before this is the time of year when people look at their squad for next season,” he said.

“It is part of our development that we try and bring in quality year on year.

“We took a big hit last season on clearing out a lot and it has been rebuilding.

“This is the first year as far as I am concerned but we are looking to bring in quality players to supplement what we have been developing here.”

Davies was more happy to talk about the comments of his fly-half Jones, who indicated he wanted to stay with the Scarlets for the rest of his career.

“It is great, absolutely fabulous to hear Steve say what he did,” added Davies.

“Steve has been a big part of what this team has been about for 10 or so years.

“He is a great ambassador for us and stands for everything that we think is good about us.

“On top of that he is a great player.

As for a potential new deal, Davies said: “Negotiations are ongoing, as is the case with a number of people at this time of year.

“We would love for him to be the rest of his career.”

But Jones is still a doubt for the Heineken Cup clash against London Irish on Sunday at Parc y Scarlets after the 32-year-old suffered a shoulder injury in the New Year’s Eve victory over the Dragons at Rodney Parade.

“He is touch and go, 50-50 at this moment,” said Davies.

“We will know more on Thursday, it is not a long-term injury, but he is in the balance for this weekend.

“If there is still any doubt on Thursday we will need to push on.”

Jones’ Wales and Lions team-mate Matthew Rees will definitely not return in time from a six-week absence with a groin injury.

But the hooker should figure in the region’s final Heineken Cup game against Brive next weekend in France, a timely boost for Wales ahead of the crucial Six Nations opening game against England at Twickenham on February 6.

“Matthew will be available for the Brive game next week,” added Davies.

“If we really pushed him he could have played some part in this game on Sunday.

Julien Dupuy's gouging ban shortened by one week

Stade Francais scrum-half Julien Dupuy has had his 24-week ban for eye-gouging reduced by one week. An independent appeal committee made the ruling and Dupuy will now miss France's Six Nations campaign. Dupuy was found to have gouged Ulster flanker Stephen Ferris during Stade's 23-13 Heineken Cup loss on 12 December. Stade prop David Attoub is set to hear the outcome of his hearing in respect of a similar offence on Friday after evidence was heard on Wednesday. Stade president Max Guazzini said: "It is a very heavy sanction. (Ferris) said there was no gouging. The fact Dupuy is French probably played a role." The ruling means that Dupuy, who has won six caps for France, will not play again this season as he will be eligible to play again on 27 May. Photographic evidence suggested that Attoub also made contact with Ferris' eye area in the match. When handing out the punishment to Dupuy, officials labelled the offence as "at the top end in the level of seriousness for an offence of this type". Ferris gave evidence at Wednesday's hearings after being requested to do so by European Rugby Cup officials.

Ireland clinch thrilling Grand Slam

The Irish also added a Triple Crown for good measure after recovering from a 6-0 interval deficit.

But they were forced to hang on amid a nerve-shredding climax as Wales fly-half Stephen Jones missed a 50-metre penalty with the game’s final kick.

Fly-half Ronan O’Gara’s drop-goal won the game for Ireland after Wales led 15-14, but it was captain marvel Brian O’Driscoll who fittingly set the ball rolling.

O’Driscoll touched down for Ireland’s second-half opener, before wing Tommy Bowe added a second try just two minutes later.

O’Gara slotted both conversions, sinking defending champions Wales, who remained in the contest through four Jones penalties before his late drop-goal.

Wales led 15-14 entering the closing stages, but O’Gara came up trumps when it really mattered as Ireland emulated the achievement of Karl Mullen’s Ireland team in 1948.

Ireland’s victory also consigned Wales to a lowly fourth place championship finish just a year after winning the Grand Slam.

England finished second, with France third courtesy of Les Bleus’ emphatic victory over Italy in Rome earlier today.

Wales suffered a late injury blow when number eight Andy Powell was ruled out of the contest through a thigh muscle injury suffered in training yesterday.

Scarlets forward Dafydd Jones replaced him, with Ospreys flanker Jonathan Thomas moving onto the bench, but Ireland had no last-minute problems.

Confirmation of the stakes came immediately when Wales skipper Ryan Jones and Ireland lock Donncha O’Callaghan squared up following an apparent trip by Jones on O’Gara.

Ireland were awarded the penalty but O’Gara drifted his kick wide.

Ireland continued to enjoy territorial supremacy but could not make their advantage count as the opening quarter ended scoreless.