Scotland have confirmed that they have appealed against the bans given to Ross Ford and Jonny Gray at the Rugby World Cup.

Both players were given three-week suspensions, which rules them out for the remainder of the tournament however far Scotland get, for dumping Samoa's Jack Lam on his head during Saturday's Pool B encounter in Newcastle.

Scotland announced their appeal on Twitter this morning after it had emerged that match referee Jaco Peyper had told disciplinary bosses at World Rugby that he felt the tackle was not worthy of further punishment.

If Scotland are successful in their appeal, both Ford and Gray could feature in Sunday's quarter-final against Australia at Twickenham.