Scrum of the Earth /

Perfect preparation for their trip to Leicester Tigers, Northampton Saints have been kicked in the nuts with news that recent signing Neil Best has been banned for 18 weeks, after admitting to illegally making contact with the eye-area of Wasps' James Haskell.

The Irish international cannot pick up a rugby ball in anger until January 28 and will miss eight rounds of Premiership action as well as all their European Challenge Cup and EDF Energy Cup pool fixtures.

There's obviously something in the Northampton water, with Dylan Hartley suspended for 6 months following a similar incident.