Johnson's appeal is rejected

England captain Martin Johnson has had his 35-day ban confirmed by a Rugby Union appeal hearing and cannot play again until the Six Nations international against Wales in Cardiff on 3 February.

Johnson was banned last week on three counts of foul play while leading Leicester in the Tetley's Bitter Cup quarter-final against Saracens. His appeal was against two of the sentences, not the convictions.

However, the appeal committee, headed by former England captain John Spencer, did not find the original sentences to be excessive.

Johnson will now miss tomorrow's Cup semi-final against Harlequins and at least two Heineken European Cup games.