Four players, including the Wales flanker Martyn Williams, were today given bans for acts of foul play during last weekend's opening round of Heineken Cup group matches.

Williams received a two-week suspension for kneeing the Edinburgh full-back Chris Paterson in the back, leaving the Cardiff Blues forward free to play in Wales's opening autumn international against Australia.

The Clermont Auvergne second-row Jamie Cudmore was given his third ban in two years by the Heineken Cup authorities and will miss the next 10 weeks after being found guilty of stamping on the Saracens flanker Jacques Burger.

The Munster centre Sam Tuitupou was suspended for three weeks for a dangerous tackle on the London Irish scrum-half Paul Hodgson.

The Scarlets flanker Jonny Fa'amatuainu received a three-week ban for his dangerous tackle on the Perpignan winger Adrien Planté during Saturday's 43-34 home victory.