Pape appeals against 'excessive' ban

France lock Pascal Pape has appealed against his 10-week ban for kneeing Ireland's Jamie Heaslip in the back, claiming the suspension "was excessive and disproportionate".



An appeal hearing will be held in London next week, Six Nations bosses have confirmed.



Stade Francais second-rower Pape will have played his last Six Nations match unless his ban is reduced, but the veteran will extend his Test career to the autumn Rugby World Cup.



Pape was sin-binned by referee Wayne Barnes for his crude challenge on Heaslip in France's 18-11 defeat to Ireland in Dublin, but was later cited for th…