The 29-year-old was reprimanded for an anti-gay slur during a recent Champions Cup match when playing for French side Toulon.

He could be heard calling Italy forward Sebastian Negri a “fucking f**got”.

After the match, Bastareaud took to Twitter and made an apology while placing some blame on Negri for his “provocations”.

He said: “Good evening everybody, I want to apologize for my reactions to the insults from the Italian player.

“I reacted badly in responding to his provocation, I am sincerely sorry for the people I hurt.”

Bastareaud was suspended for three weeks following a disciplinary hearing in London on Wednesday.

This initial suspension means he will miss the opening Six Nations clash with Ireland.

Brian O’Driscoll spoke out about the incident, feeling that the ban should have been longer:

“I think it’s pretty lenient, three weeks, being brutally honest. You want to stamp it out. I think he can consider himself quite lucky to only get three, even though he pleaded guilty.”

"I think it's pretty lenient, three-weeks, we want to stamp it out."

Brian O'Driscoll gives his verdict on Mathieu Bastareaud's ban for verbal abuse.#RugbyTonight pic.twitter.com/BvUP78nXYS

— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) January 17, 2018

Former England player Andy Good also weight in on the incident saying: “Disgusting from Mathieu Bastareaud. No place in the game for homophobia, @ChampionsCup should throw the book at him.

“Absolutely disgusting and no place for it anywhere. I hope @ChampionsCup make an example of @BastaOfficiel and ban him for a long time.”

Dropped From Six Nations

The French Rugby Federation said it has dropped him “following his suspension”.

“Bastareaud is alleged to have verbally abused a Benetton Rugby player in the 80th minute of the match in contravention of Law 9.12.

“Details of the independent Disciplinary Hearing and any other disciplinary matters arising from Round 5 of EPCR’s competitions will be announced as soon as practicable.”

The ECPR added: “As of now, the citing commissioner is considering the incident as part of his routine review of the match, and will make a decision when he has concluded his enquiries.”