France’s star fly-half Romain Ntamack has been banned for up to three weeks after a verdict was reached by an independent disciplinary committee.

Making his first Six Nations appearance in two years, Ntamack was sent off in the 70th minute of France’s game against Wales for a brutal shoulder-to-head shot on Ben Thomas.

He was initially awarded a yellow card which was later upgraded to red, marring their 43-0 opening-night victory.

It was confirmed on Wednesday that Ntamack had received a three-week suspension, which will be reduced to two weeks if he completes the Coaching Intervention Programme (CIP), an initiative laid on by World Rugby.

The programme is designed to analyse tackling technique and identify positive modifications with the aim of reducing foul play.

It means Ntamack is officially suspended against England but he could be available to face Italy on February 23 if he passes the CIP. Otherwise, he will be banned for that fixture as well.

Head-on-head contact in the tackle comes under Law 9 of the Laws of Rugby Union, which covers foul play. Law 9.11 dictates: “Players must not do anything that is reckless or dangerous to others, including leading with the elbow or forearm, or jumping into, or over, a tackler”.

It goes on to say: “A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously. Dangerous tackling includes, but is not limited to, tackling or attempting to tackle an opponent above the line of the shoulders even if the tackle starts below the line of the shoulders.”

Wales icon Sam Warburton claimed that the challenge was a “revenge mission” after Thomas had landed a big tackle on the returning star earlier in the match.

“Romain Ntamack got a red card, now this, I think, is the absolute correct decision,” he told the BBC. “He is bolt upright, there’s force and it’s to the head, a senior coach will be completely annoyed by this. A complete lack of composure from Ntamack and this could be a massive blow for their Six Nations.

“The precursor to that was this shot from Ben Thomas, I think it is actually a great shot but it’s the bit of afters on the floor that Ben Thomas does, which you always do in international rugby.

“I think Romain Ntamack has taken it way too personally for what Ben Thomas did and then this looks like a revenge mission to me. That lack of emotional control has really cost France for their title and Grand Slam chances for the Six Nations. He will be very disappointed.”

After Ntamack became the first player to be awarded a 20-minute red card and the subsequent ban, France head coach Fabien Galthie likely will call upon Thomas Ramos to fill in at fly-half.

He deputised for Ntamack at the Rugby World Cup, which may mean that Louis Bielle-Biarrey shifts into the full-back role, or Leo Barre comes into the starting XV at Twickenham.