Decision to ban Alesana Tuilagi for five weeks branded a 'disgrace' and 'ridiculous' as Lewis Moody and Ben Kay wade in

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World Rugby have sparked outrage after their controversial decision to ban Samoa wing Alesana Tuilagi for five weeks for foul play for striking Japan centre Harumichi Tatekawa on Saturday.

Nearly all rugby experts and neutral observers are agreed that the ban is hugely unfair on the wing, brother of England international centre Manu, and that Tatekawa's injury came after he got his head the wrong side in the tackle, not through malicious intent from the Samoan.

Tuilagi was cited for striking Tatekawa in the second minute of the World Cup Pool B game in Milton Keynes, which Japan won 26-5.

Samoa wing Alesana Tuilagi (left) has been hit with a five-week ban by World Rugby for this incident

Tuilagi has been found guilty of striking Japan's Harumichi Tatekawa with his knee at the World Cup

The ban means he will Tuilagi will miss Saturday's clash agaist Scotland at Twickenham as well as the start of the Aviva Premiership season with his club Newcastle.

In a statement, World Rugby said: 'Tuilagi denied the act of foul play.

'Having conducted a detailed review of all the available evidence, including all camera angles, medical evidence, evidence from the player and submissions from his legal representatives, the judicial officer Antony Davies upheld the citing on the basis that the player had committed the act of foul play.'

ITV pundit and commentator David Flatman, a former prop for Bath and England, said: 'Decisions like the one from @WorldRugby to ban Tuilagi are threatening to ruin this World Cup. Disgraceful. How do they sleep?'

He added in a response to former Samoa and Gloucester centre Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu: 'Total ridiculous ban. In fact, unforgivable decision.' 

 Tuilagi will miss the first four Aviva Premiership games of next season following his ban 

Fuimaono-Sapolu wrote: 'I didn't think World Rugby could top the rats**t they dished out last world cup but this one really is something to enjoy! Lol.'

And ex-Wasps forward Dan Leo, another Samoan international, tweeted: '5 week ban for this!? The Japanese player got his tackle/head wrong. Another RWC commission fail.'

Worcester fly-half Ryan Lamb wrote: 'Tuilagi's ban is ridiculous, just put a belt on and call it the tag rugby World Cup.'

Former England captain Lewis Moody, a team-mate of Tuilagi's at Leicester Tigers, added on Wednesday morning: 'I am appalled alesana has been banned for this. How is running into an opponent and act of fowl [sic] play. Should we now play walking rugby!!'

Another England World Cup winner, Ben Kay, tweeted: 'I'm all for making our collision sport as safe as possible but REALLY? @WorldRugby Suggest you review this decision!' He then added: '#FreeAlesana.'