Scotland fly-half Finn Russell receives two-week ban for tackle on Dan Biggar

Scotland fly-half Finn Russell has been suspended for two weeks after a dangerous tackle on opposite number Dan Biggar during Sunday's 26-23 defeat to Wales.

Glasgow star Russell, who was making just his seventh appearance for his country during the entertaining Six Nations clash at Murrayfield, was initially shown a yellow card by referee Glen Jackson for appearing to bring down the rampaging Biggar as he rose to impressively claim a high ball.

A short stint in the sin-bin was not the end of the matter for Russell, however, and the 22-year-old was retrospectively cited for the incident by independent commissioner Eugene Ryan earlier this week.

After being summoned to a Six Nations Disciplinary Committee on Wednesday, the decision was made that a simple caution did not suffice and that a red card was a more fitting punishment for an offence that was apparently deemed to have been more reckless than intentional.

Russell was first handed a three-week ban in compliance with World Rugby's scale of seriousness, but that was reduced on account of several factors including the player's clean disciplinary record. Scottish Rugby have announced that they intend to appeal the decision.

"We are disappointed by the outcome of today's discipline committee meeting, and subsequent suspension of stand-off Finn Russell," a spokesperson said.

"Following the arrival of the written sanction later this week, we intend to appeal"

If such an appeal is not successful, then Russell will miss Scotland's next fixture at home to Italy on February 28.

Glasgow head coach and former Scotland back Gregor Townsend reacted angrily to the decision to ban his prodigy, posting a photo of the incident on Twitter and a mock apology clearly suggesting that Russell only had eyes for the ball when competing against Biggar.