But now the 26-year-old is to appeal against the sanction, which has been roundly criticised by France officials including national coach Marc Lievremont.

He said: “I hope there is an appeal and that the ban is replaced by something more reasonable.”

If the panel allows the ban to stand when they meet on Wednesday, Dupuy will miss France ’s Six Nations campaign in February and March.

Stade Francais team-mate David Attoub faces a nervous wait to hear the outcome of his disciplinary hearing after he was also accused of eye gouging on Ferris in the same match.

Attoub’s case was postponed until Monday after Stade claimed a photograph had been doctored to make it look like he had made contact with Ferris’ eye.

And Perpignan prop Jerome Schuster could also face a lengthy ban following an alleged head butt on Munster ’s Denis Leamy.

If cited for the offence the 24-year-old could face a ban of 12 weeks or more following the incident in his side’s 14-37 Heineken Cup defeat on December 20.