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Rugby Union

Grewcock fails appeal to dent World Cup hopes

26/06/2007

Danny Grewcock looks set to miss out on England's World Cup defence after his appeal against a six-week suspension for punching an opponent failed.

The lock is now ruled out of the team's three warm-up Tests as well as their first two clashes in September's showpiece tournament, making it unlikely that coach Brian Ashton will find space for the Bath star in his 30-man squad.

The incident that looks set to cost Grewcock his place on the boat to France occurred during Bath's loss to Clermont Avergne in the European Challenge Cup final.

Grewcock was cited for striking out at opposite number Thibault Privat and will now serve his ban from August 4th to September 15th after an independent panel found no reason to disagree with the competition organisers' original punishment.

The episode is just the latest in the 34-year-old's controversial career.

In 1998 Grewcock became only the second England player to be sent off after being caught stamping in a Test against New Zealand.

His conduct in club rugby has been just as confrontational as he has attracted cards of both colour while in action in the Guinness Premiership.

His most recent indiscretion will now spark a race to fill the berth left by Grewcock in Ashton's starting XV, with Ben Kay and Tom Palmer likely to lead the way and a move into second row for Leicester number eight Martin Corry an outside possibility.

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