BATH have ruled out an appeal against the three-week ban handed out to flanker Francois Louw following a hearing at an independent disciplinary committee in London on Wednesday.

South Africa international Louw was cited for making contact with the eye area of Benetton Treviso’s Marco Fuser, who was also cited for biting in the same incident, during Bath’s 23-0 Champions Cup victory at The Rec.

Louw tangled with Fuser at a 77th-minute breakdown, pulling the Italy lock away and then raking his hand across his face.

His three-week ban is at the low end of sanctions available to the committee, who could have suspended Louw for anything between 12 and 52 weeks had they considered his actions to be a serious offence.

Bath director of rugby Todd Blackadder said: “We are disappointed to lose Francois for three weeks, but accept the decision.

“There was absolutely no malice in Francois’ actions, and there was another incident at the time for which the opposition player has been cited for.

“However, we all know that you cannot put your hands on someone’s face due to the risk to player safety, and we accept the sanction imposed by the authorities.”

The case against Fuser was dismissed due to “insufficient evidence.”

Louw will be available to play again on November 6.

Meanwhile, Bath flanker Zach Mercer insists Bath will be coming up against a ‘world-class’ side when they travel to Llanelli to take on last season’s Pro12 champions Scarlets in their second European Rugby Champions Cup pool match tonight.

While Bath opened up their European challenge with victory last week, Scarlets were edged out in Toulon, but not before giving the three-time winners a fright as they fought back from 18 points down to lead at one stage.

Mercer, a try scorer in the win over Benetton Treviso last week, said: “They are world-class opposition and we know that travelling down to Wales on a Friday night is always going to be a very tough game.’’