Williams slammed the decision as "inconsistent with the rules of the game'' and warned the all-Australian appeals panel had set a dangerous precedent that could turn rugby's judicial system into a farce.

Grimes was cited for "trampling'' on Australia number eight David Lyons in the closing stages of Scotland's 35-15 defeat to the Wallabies last Sunday and subsequently suspended from all rugby until August 14.

Scotland lodged an appeal against the severity of the sentence and went into the hearing with great confidence, believing they had found 24 points on which to contest the original finding.

All they needed was for one to stick, but after an hour and 50 minutes in the Australian Rugby Union headquarters, Grimes' appeal was dismissed and the penalty retained.

He will be suspended for Saturday's second Test against the Wallabies and Newcastle's first pre-season friendly.

"We are extremely disappointed at both the initial hearing and the subsequent hearing,'' said Williams.

"We obviously respect the opinions and the findings but we still disagree with it.

"There is no doubt it was over-exuberance, he shouldn't have done it and the referee dealt with it.

"At international level, for that to get a two-week sanction is quite extraordinary.

"The judiciary panel based their decision on the technical rule that a player must not use his feet to clear an opponent away from the ball," the Scotland coach added.

Williams disputes its validity and fears for the future of rugby if rucking is outlawed entirely.

"This ruling is completely inconsistent. It is even inconsistent with the laws of the game. Trampling doesn't exist in certain aspects,'' said Williams.

"What it does mean is that players will just dive all over the ground, which occurred last week, and you are going to get some very negative games.

"I think the players are very angry. None of us condone foul play.

" I don't coach foul play and I don't think there is any place in the game for foul play.

"But it is a tough, body-contact sport. Rucking has been part of our game for its entire life."

Williams warned that, with the precedent set today, the judiciary committees overseeing this weekend's Test matches in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Argentina could find themselves awash with citings.

If that does not happen, it would indicate Williams' claims of a gross inconsistency in the IRB's judicial system.

"Our problem with the situation is, if that is the benchmark there should be three or four other instances in the games we played on tour where people should have been cited and have sanctions,'' said Williams.

"I don't believe that should be the case.

"I don't believe the situation warrants that but if that is the ruling, and that is the way it has been said to us, the judiciary will be overflowing next weekend.

"Because on the terms that have been dealt with us, there were dozens of situations worth citing last week, dozens.''

Grimes will be replaced in the starting line-up by Saracens-bound lock Iain Fullarton