MUNSTER will have to do without the services of centre Lifeimi Mafi for the next seven weeks after the Tongan was suspended by the IRFU for his high tackle on Gordon D’Arcy in Saturday’s Manger’s League defeat to Leinster.

The centre had been cited for dangerous play in the wake of the tackle, and the three-strong disciplinary panel at today’s meeting in Belfast ruled that the tackle was at the top end of the range of offences for high tackles.

Having studied the match footage and heard all available evidence, the disciplinary panel found Mafi guilty under law 10.4 (e) for a dangerous tackle and decided that it was at the top end of entry for such an offence.

The panel took into account the players previous good disciplinary record before they imposed a sanction of seven weeks suspension, up to and including Sunday, November 21st, 2010.

The suspension takes effect from the day of the offence, meaning Mafi will miss the Heineken Cup games against London Irish and Toulon, plus the Magners League matches against Benetton Treviso, Ulster and Scarlets.

He is, however, permitted to appeal the suspension if he so desires.