Source:www.news.bbc.co.uk
London Irish full-back Delon Armitage's appeal against an eight-week ban for pushing an anti-doping official has been dismissed.
Armitage was found guilty of using threatening and/or abusive language during a routine drug test after the Exiles' game against Bath last month.
An appeals panel said the original sanction was "fair and reasonable".
His ban will end on 16 March, virtually ensuring he will play no part in England's Six Nations campaign.
Rugby Football Union chief disciplinary officer Judge Jeff Blackett had equated the offence to abuse of a match official, a position Armitage rejected.
Armitage's ban had been reduced from 12 weeks to eight on account of what Blackett described as "his remorse, his letter of apology to the doping control officer and his relatively good record".
"It brought discredit on himself and his club and failed to uphold one of the core values of the game - respect," said Blackett last month.
"Doping control officers should expect to carry out their important work without fear of abuse and be treated with respect at all times."
Armitage launched an appeal, claiming the sanction was "disproportionate" but his argument was dismissed by a three-man appeals panel.
Panel chair Ian Unsworth QC said: "We came to the conclusion that the decision and sanction reached by the original panel was fair, reasonable and one which they were entitled to."
Unsworth added: "The Rugby Football Union attaches the highest importance to the fight against doping in sport and thus considers the work of UKAD (UK Anti-Doping) to be important to the reputation of rugby and sport as a whole."
"The work of the doping control officers is of crucial importance in this field and players should be aware of their obligations to comply with the reasonable requirements of those officers.
"Mr Armitage was aggressive, bullying, persistent and threatening. He subjected the doping control officer to a volley of abuse and he deserved better than that."
Trinidad-born Armitage, who has won 19 England caps, is a member of manager Martin Johnson's elite player squad.
He made three appearances as a replacement during the autumn Test series, and was expected to be part of England's squad for their Six Nations opener against Wales last weekend.
England's final match against Ireland is on 19 March and it is highly unlikely Johnson would consider him for the trip to Dublin after two months out.
The 27-year-old will also miss London Irish's next four Aviva Premiership matches, against Newcastle, Gloucester, Harlequins and Leeds.