Johnny Sexton will be free to captain Ireland in the Rugby World Cup after receiving a three-game ban for misconduct by European rugby chiefs on Sunday.

But the 38-year-old fly-half will miss next month's warm-up matches against Italy, England and Samoa.

Sexton faced a disciplinary hearing over "misconduct complaints" after exchanging words with referee Jaco Peyper following his club Leinster's loss to La Rochelle in the Champions Cup final in Dublin on May 20, a match the injured Sexton did not play in. 

The charge can carry a long ban, but a statement issued by European Professional Club Rugby on behalf of an independent disciplinary committee said: "Having regard to the full circumstances of the misconduct and the mitigation which is set out in detail in the written reasons, the disciplinary committee concluded that the appropriate and proportionate sanction was an immediate suspension of three matches. 

"He (Sexton) is suspended with immediate effect and cannot play in the following Ireland matches: 1. August 5, Italy; 2. August 19, England; 3. August 26, Samoa."

Leading contenders Ireland open their World Cup campaign against Romania in Bordeaux on September 9.

The committee also gave Irish province Leinster a suspended £7,500 (8,749 euros) fine for not exercising reasonable control over their player.

Sexton has said he will retire after this year's Rugby World Cup in France.

jdg/pb