/ 6 October 1999

CHARVIS, GRAU BANNED FOR FIGHTING

WELSH flanker Colin Charvis and Argentinian prop Roberto Grau have been banned for fighting in the opening match of the World Cup tournament. Charvis was banned for 14 days and Grau for 21 days after both faced a disciplinary meeting late Monday. The loss of Swansea star Charvis, 26, is a massive blow for the Welsh after his powerful performance at the Millennium Stadium on Friday – when Wales beat Argentina 22-18. Wales face Japan and Samoa in the next 12 days and Charvis will miss both games. Grau’s ban has all but ruled him out of the rest of the tournament as Argentina are likely to fail to qualify for the quarter-finals. Earlier Grau, accused of gouging Wales hooker Garin Jenkins’ eye during the same match, was cleared of that charge.