Nanai dealt three-game ban after brutal challenge on Johnny May

Worcester Warriors’ Melani Nanai has been dealt a three-match ban after his brutal challenge on England winger Johnny May, earning the former a red card.

Nanai was found to be in contravention of Law 9.16 and accepted the punishment.

Nanai made apologies for his actions in the following tweet:

“Just wanted to say sorry to @J0nnyMay, my team mates, the staff @WorcsWarriors and all our fans. It wasn’t my intention to tackle that way & sending my best to Jonny and the Gloucester team for the rest of the season."

Speaking on May’s current condition, Gloucester head coach George Skivington said:

"Jonny's going through the protocols. The protocol means he could turn it around and play, there's time. But obviously there are certain measures that the physio and him will go through and tick off.

"I'm not sure where he's at but obviously we're planning around it and what not. But, yeah, he can turn it around for the game.

"Jonny desperately wants to play and he's obviously gutted that incident took place and meant that he couldn't play that game.

"But what I will say about Jonny is he's an unbelievable professional and he is really focused on the best he can be.

"I've had some great chats with him since he's been back in - not about the injury or what happened on the weekend - but just about what he thought could be better in the game and he's just itching to play rugby."