South Africa's Bryan Habana was yesterday cleared of trying to deliberately kick France’s Vincent Clerc.

The decision by the International Rugby Board (IRB) means the Springbok wing is available to play for the world champions against Italy in Udinese on Saturday.

Habana had been cited after TV images appeared to show him kicking out at his opposite number, who was lying on the ground during last Friday’s international in Toulouse, a match France won 20-13.

But the IRB’s judicial officer for the match, Professor Lorne Crerar of Scotland, said he was unable to determine that the player had deliberately kicked Clerc.

The IRB added that a detailed examination of the video clips showed France full-back Damien Traille gripping the lower leg of Habana, pulling the South African towards him and the prostrate Clerc.

The Springboks complete their European tour against Six Nations champions Ireland in Dublin on November 28.

Wales coach Warren Gatland has made six changes to the side that beat Samoa for this weekend’s international against Argentina - including a surprise at scrum-half. ?

The New Zealander has opted to start Jonathan Davies in midfield for the Millennium Stadium clash, after centre Tom Shanklin was ruled out with a broken nose.

Jamie Roberts moves across to outside centre while Gatland has recalled four British and Irish Lions in wing Shane Williams, fly-half Stephen Jones, flanker Martyn Williams and hooker Matthew Rees after the quartet were rested from the side that edged Samoa 17-13. And surprisingly, Gatland
has gone with Gareth Cooper at scrum-half in place of Dwayne Peel.

Cooper started against New Zealand earlier this month, but Peel was among Wales’ best players against Samoa.

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