Connacht and Ireland wing Mack Hansen has received a six-week ban, three of which are suspended, after an independent disciplinary panel upheld a charge of misconduct in relation to comments he made about referees.

MACK HANSEN has been handed a three-game ban after his post-match outburst following Connacht’s defeat to Leinster. The Ireland and Connacht star put the match officials on blast with

Chris Busby, the referee at the centre of the controversy generated by Connacht wing Mack Hansen, will step away from officiating before the forthcoming Six Nations.

Connacht supporters and rugby fans in general are none too happy about the result of the URC disciplinary meeting regarding Mack Hansen's explosive referee

Ireland wing Mack Hansen has been handed a three-week ban after criticising the officiating of Connacht’s defeat to Leinster in December. Hansen suggested after his side’s narrow loss at the Aviva Stadium that it had felt like the visitors were playing against “16 men”.

Mack Hansen has been slapped with a six-week ban – three of which suspended – following his outburst after Connacht’s defeat to Leinster in the United Rugby Championship (URC). The suspension means that the winger will be available to Andy Farrell for Ireland’s opening game of the Six Nations when the defending champions tackle England on February 1.