Chabal facing lengthy ban over YouTube 'hit'

The veteran back-row forward has been summoned to appear before the French national league of rugby's disciplinary commission on January 3.

If guilty, he could be suspended for between two weeks and one year over the incident which has become a YouTube hit.

Chabal found himself in hot water after striking Agen's Marc Giraud, who was holding onto his shirt in the game last Saturday. The force of the blow knocked Giraud unconscious.

Chabal picked up a yellow card for the strike which he later described as "regrettable but a reflex action."