There's been a lot of debate over the past couple of days about Pascal Papé and his knee to Jamie Heaslip's back. The ten game ban been handed down and that has only served to further the debate. Was it harsh enough or was it too harsh? It got us to thinking how does Pascal Pape's ten week ban compare to the longest rugby bans in history?
Eye Gouging - 104 Weeks, and 70 Weeks
Richard Nones received one of the longest rugby bans for eye gouging in 1999. The Colombiers prop got 104 weeks for the incident from the final moments of a Heineken Cup game with Pontypridd. More recently, Stade Francais' David Attoub was given 70 weeks in the last big eye gouging incident in Tier 1 rugby after poking Stephen Ferris in the eye in the Heineken Cup in 2011.
Biting - 18 Months
South African prop Johan le Roux was given an 18 month ban after biting All Black legend and Sky Sports pundit Sean Fitzpatrick in the ear in 1995.
Breaking An Arm- 32 Weeks
Northampton's Calum Clark was given a 32 week ban after being found guilty of intentionally hyperextending and breaking the arm of Leicester hooker Rob Hawkins.
Bloodgate- 4 Months
The player at the centre of the Bloodgate scandal, Tom Williams was given a 12 month ban that was reduced to 4 months after his evidence incriminated Dean Richards and the head physio at Harlequins. Richards was given a 3 year ban for his part in the scandal.
Attacking Supporters- Life (Reduced To 5 Years On Appeal)
Ex Leinster flanker Trevor Brennan's career ended when he attacked an Ulster fan after being sent off for fighting during an Toulouse and Ulster game in 2007. Brennan announced his retirement prior to the hearing, but was given a life ban anyway. This was reduced to 5 years on appeal.
Drugs - 2 Years
Australian giant winger Wendell Sailor was given a two year ban for testing positive for cocaine. Sailor decided to switch codes to rugby league and wound up hosting Australian's greatest athlete after he retired.
Verbal Abuse - 48 Weeks And 12 Weeks
In recent times, bans for verbal abuse are on the rise, first with Delon Armitage receiving 12 weeks for abusing supporters, which was reduced to eight on appeal. Welsh amateur player James Egan received a 48 week ban after verbally abusing a referee.
