NEWPORT Gwent Dragons lock Rynard Landman has failed in his bid to get his six-week suspension for elbowing reduced and will miss the European showdown with Cardiff Blues.

The South African, who had been deputising as captain for the injured Lee Byrne, was sent off against Connacht last month after catching fly-half Jack Carty with his elbow when attempting a charge down.

He was given a six-week ban ending on Sunday, April 19 to take into account the Dragons’ current fortnight off while the knockout stages of the LV= Cup are played.

Landman appealed on the grounds that the Guinness Pro12 disciplinary committee had made a mistake when deeming the offence was at the top-end of World Rugby’s scale and in only reducing his suspension by three weeks to take into account mitigating factors.

However, an appeal committee backed the original decision and the lock, who was ordered to pay costs for the hearing, will remain suspended until April 19.

That rules him out of the European Rugby Challenge Cup quarter-final against Cardiff Blues at Rodney Parade and a potential semi-final away to either London Irish or Edinburgh.

Cory Hill, Ian Gough and Matthew Screech will be battling to slot in next to Wales international Andrew Coombs in the Dragons' second row.