Evie Gallagher to miss Scotland's Six Nations trip to France

Scotland No.8 Evie Gallagher has been suspended for one match and will miss her side’s Guinness Women’s Six Nations encounter with France in La Rochelle on Saturday.

Bristol Bears forward Gallagher was shown a red card for an illegal clear-out on Wales’ replacement hooker Kelsey Jones early in the second half of Scotland’s 24-21 opening round victory in Edinburgh.

On Monday evening, Gallagher appeared in front of an independent disciplinary committee, who upheld the red card and “determined that the low-range entry point of two weeks/matches was appropriate”.

“In light of the player accepting she committed an act of foul play as well as other mitigating factors, [the disciplinary committee] have applied the maximum 50 per cent reduction in sanction, thus reducing the final sanction to one week/match,” the Six Nations statement confirming the suspension added.

The disciplinary committee was chaired by Marcello D’Orey (Portugal), who was joined by former international player Stefan Terblanche (South Africa) and former referee Val Toma (Romania).

The decision means that Gallagher will miss this weekend’s trip to France but will be available for their remaining three championship matches, against Italy, England and Ireland.

Gallagher’s importance to Scotland was highlighted by the fact she appeared near the top of the team’s stats charts for carries (70 metres from nine) and tackles (10 completed) despite playing only 52 minutes at Hive Stadium.

Her suspension is likely to lead to a recall for Harlequins No.8 Jade Konkel, who was introduced following her sending off and has been in fine form in Premiership Women’s Rugby this season.