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James Davies won’t be fired by the Scarlets after being banned for three weeks for swearing and making an obscene gesture during Scarlets’ Champions Cup defeat at Toulon.

But the west Wales region may take further disciplinary action, which could include a fine, against the Rio Olympics Sevens silver medallist for his actions at the Stade Felix Mayol last weekend.

English referee Greg Garner had threatened to send off Davies during the first half for bad language and, after awarding a penalty to Toulon, Davies was caught by televison cameras making a gesture.

Davies issued an apology for his actions, which he described as “unforgiveable”, saying he had lost his composure in the heat of battle, which he deeply regretted.

And he was suspended by an independent European Rugby disciplinary hearing in London yesterday after pleading guilty to a charge of committing acts contrary to good sportsmanship.

Scarlets could have sacked the 26-year-old under the region’s code of conduct but have decided not to take such a drastic measure.

“The core values of respect, discipline and sportsmanship ensure that rugby, more than any other sport, embraces the responsibility of developing better people and better communities by challenging unacceptable behaviour,” said Scarlets director and general manager of rugby Jon Daniels.

“Through being part of the rugby community, people from all walks of life have the opportunity to learn right from wrong but they will inevitably make mistakes.

(Image: BT Sport)

“The most important aspect of making a mistake is that you respond with sincerity and integrity; that you learn from it so that it does not happen again, and you make amends in any way possible.

“It is well reported by now that incidents of bringing the game of rugby and its values into disrepute can carry the ultimate penalty sanction of dismissal.

“What James did on Sunday was unacceptable and cannot be changed but his response to the incident and his sincere remorse for his actions shows that he still has a major part to play in the Scarlets rugby community.

“He feels a personal accountability to the values of the game he has grown up with and is already making amends for his mistake by volunteering to be an ambassador for the new BT Supporters Club Tackle programme, run by the Welsh regions to support disaffected young people.

“He has also hot-footed back from his disciplinary hearing in London to visit Cilgerran, the children’s ward at West Wales General Hospital, with his teammates.

“Whilst our internal disciplinary process may find further sanctions are appropriate, removing James from his rugby community through contract termination is not in anyone’s interests.”

Davies is free to play again on Monday, January 2, 2017, but will miss Sunday’s vital European re-match with Toulon, in Llanelli, plus the mouth-watering Christmas Guinness Pro12 derbies with neighbours Ospreys and Cardiff Blues.