The France coach, Fabien Galthié, is not dismissing the possibility of Mohamed Haouas competing in the World Cup, despite the prop being the first player in Six Nations rugby history to receive two red cards.
Haouas was sent off in the 12th minute of France’s 32-21 victory over Scotland on Sunday (Monday NZ time), which was just five minutes after Scotland lock Grant Gilchrist was also red-carded for a head-high tackle.
The prop has since been handed a four match ban for the incident.
During a hearing in front of an independent judicial committee, Haouas admitted he committed an act of foul play.
He has the right to appeal within three days of the issuing of the full written decision and will also miss Montpellier’s league game with Perpignan and Heineken Champions Cup trip to Exeter.
In the 2020 Guinness Six Nations, an on-field brawl broke out on the 36th minute. Numerous Scotland and France players jostled in the scrap, yet Haouas lost his head and swung a punch at Ritchie.
The prop managed to stay on the field for the majority of the first half, before being sent off at Murrayfield last year.
