Ghiraldini's offence went unseen by referee Jonathan Kaplan during Ireland’s 36-6 victory on Sunday but it was captured by television cameras and he was subsequently cited and summoned to appear before a disciplinary panel in Auckland on Tuesday.

The Azzurri forward has acknowledged that he had contravened the laws of the game but denied intent but the disciplinary panel disagreed and categorised the act as a top-end offense.

As a result, Ghiraldini could have expected a 24-week suspension but due to the 26-year-olds strong disciplinary record, the length of the ban was reduced to 15 weeks.

A statement released by Rugby World Cup Limited read: “The judicial officer took the view there should be an increase on the suspension period prescribed by the entry point for deterrent purposes, noting that increased penalties had not been reflected in any significant reduction in offending of this kind.

“However, taking into account particular aspects of the offending in this case and a range of mitigating factors, principally Ghiraldini's previously unblemished record, the judicial officer reduced the period of suspension otherwise arrived at to 15 weeks.”