Grewcock appeals ban

Bath lock Danny Grewcock has lodged an appeal against the six-week ban which threatens to ruin his World Cup chances.

Grewcock was handed the suspension on Monday after being found guilty of punching opposite number Thibault Privat in Bath's European Challenge Cup final defeat by Clermont Auvergne.

The ban runs from August 4 to September 15, ruling Grewcock out of England's three warm-up Tests and their first two World Cup matches, including the vital pool game with South Africa.

As a result, Grewcock was omitted from England's 47-man training squad announced by head coach Brian Ashton.

Ashton's decision was understandable. By the time England face Samoa in their third World Cup match on September 22, Grewcock would not have played rugby for around four months.

With World Cup regulations limiting squads to just 30, Ashton could not afford to carry Grewcock in those circumstances.

But he did leave the door open and confirmed at the squad announcement he would revisit Grewcock's selection in the event of a successful appeal.

European Rugby Cup officials stated the appeals committee would be convened "as soon as is practicable".

Grewcock missed most of the 2003 World Cup after flying home early with a broken hand, suffered in the pool victory over Uruguay.