Tonga rugby international Chris Hala’ufia has been given a potentially season-ending ban, served with an 11-week suspension for a dangerous tackle during a European Cup game.

A hearing for Hala’ufia was reconvened in Dublin on Thursday and independent judicial officer Mark McParland imposed a suspension that will sideline the player until May 17.

London Irish No.8 Hala’ufia was cited for a dangerous tackle on Racing Metro fullback Gaetan Germain during a European Cup pool match in Paris on December 10.

Hala’ufia broke his arm in the same game, so the hearing was adjourned until he resumed playing again.

The 33-year-old Hala’ufia can appeal.

As things stand, he is now set to miss the remainder of the regular season and will not feature for London Irish again this term unless they reach the English Premiership final on May 26.

McParland decided the offence warranted a mid-range entry point of a six-week ban but added six weeks for Hala’ufia’s poor disciplinary record and another fortnight as a deterrent.

Hala’ufia received a seven-week ban from the Rugby Football Union earlier this season for a dangerous and high tackle on Gloucester fullback Olly Morgan in a Premiership match, which was not the first time he has faced disciplinary action.

London Irish, who play Wasps on Saturday, still have an outside chance of reaching the Premiership playoffs. The Exiles are 10 points behind fourth-placed Leicester with six league games remaining.