The suspension runs from August 4 and rules Grewcock out of England’s three World Cup warm-up Tests and the first two matches of the tournament, including the vital clash with South Africa on September 14.

Grewcock was banned after being found guilty of punching opposite number Thibault Privat in Bath’s European Challenge Cup final defeat to Clermont Auvergne.

England head coach Brian Ashton is set to name his 40-man World Cup training squad on Friday and must now decide whether it is worth carrying a player who is banned for all the preparation matches and the most important fixture of the pool stage.

It seems highly unlikely. By the time England face Samoa in Nantes on September 22, Grewcock would not have played any rugby for four months.

Grewcock has the right to appeal the suspension. A decision on that must be made within 72 hours.

Grewcock played in the 1999 World Cup but missed the climax of England’s triumph in Australia four years ago after breaking his hand in the pool win over Uruguay.

A powerful lock forward from the no-holds-barred school of rugby, Grewcock has a chequered disciplinary record.

In 1998 he was sent off during England’s 64-22 defeat against New Zealand in Dunedin for alleged use of the boot and subsequently received a five-week ban.

In 2002 Grewcock was sent off for the same offence while playing for Bath, and in May 2003 he saw red for punching Lawrence Dallaglio in the Parker Pen final.

A two-week suspension ruled Grewcock out of England’s summer tour of New Zealand and Australia.

He was included in Clive Woodward’s World Cup squad but was replaced by Simon Shaw after suffering the hand injury.

In 2004, Grewcock was banned again for reckless use of the boot in England’s second Test defeat against New Zealand and in Auckland.

And on the 2005 Lions tour he was banned for two months for biting New Zealand hooker Keven Mealamu in the first Test against the All Blacks.

Bath plan to wait until they receive the full disciplinary report before deciding whether to appeal.