Leicester scrum-half Micky Young handed eight-week ban

Image caption, Young joined Tigers from Newcastle Falcons last year

Leicester Tigers scrum-half Micky Young has been banned for eight weeks for making contact with the eye area of Aironi wing Giulio Toniolatti.

Young was cited for the incident during Saturday's Heineken Cup match at Welford Road, which Tigers won 33-6.

He pleaded not guilty before a disciplinary hearing.

But independent judicial officer Pat Barriscale upheld the citing, although he concluded Young had committed an act which was reckless, not deliberate.

Cup organisers European Rugby Cup (ERC) received the complaint from citing commissioner John Kirk.

An ERC statement read: "Having taken into account the player's excellent record and exemplary conduct during the hearing, the player was granted mitigation of four weeks and received a suspension of eight weeks."

Young, who will miss England Saxons' game with Irish Wolfhounds on Saturday, can play again from 19 March.

The 23-year-old but has played just seven times, the Aironi game being his only start.