The Northampton lock now has 48 hours to decide whether to appeal or he will miss Sunday’s clash against Georgia and with Romania on September 24.

Lawes, who pleaded not guilty, will however be available for England's final group game against Scotland on 1 October.

The offence was deemed to be an infringement of law 10.4(a), which concerns "punching or striking (with the knee)" and normally carries a ban of at least three weeks.

But judicial officer Terry Willis said he applied some leniency because of Lawes' disciplinary record and "remorse" and shaved the ban to only two weeks.

A statement from Rugby World Cup Limited read: "Having conducted a detailed review of all the evidence available, including all broadcast angles and additional evidence from the player and submissions from his counsel, the judicial officer upheld the citing on the basis that the player had committed an act of foul play.

"However, taking into account mitigating factors being his excellent disciplinary record and remorse and the absence of aggravating factors, the player was suspended for two weeks."

England manager Martin Johnson revealed his displeasure with the decision but is unlikely to appeal.

"It is a fast-moving game and he dived to make what he thinks is a try-saving tackle. We thought any contact was incidental but they thought differently," he said.