Italy flanker Mauro Bergamasco has been handed a 13-week ban after being found guilty of gouging the eye of Wales full back Lee Byrne.

A Six Nations disciplinary hearing ruled that the Stade Francais back rower was “found to have deliberately placed his finger in the right eye of Lee Byrne”.

The incident occurred at the end of Italy’s 47-8 defeat at the Millennium Stadium.

Bergamasco’s international colleague Carlo del Fava has meanwhile been cleared of an alleged foul on Welsh fly half Stephen Jones.

Coach Nick Mallett had already omitted the duo from his initial squad for Italy’s trip to Paris to face France on March 9th, though Bergamasco has the right of appeal.

If the ban stands he will not be able to play again until June 2nd, missing the both the rest of the Six Nations and the end of the French club season.