( CNN ) -- England 's Courtney Lawes was handed a two-match ban on Tuesday after he was found guilty of recklessly striking his opponent with a knee during his country 's opening match of the 2011 Rugby World Cup . Lawes , 22 , made the tackle on Argentina 's Mario Ledesma during England 's 13-9 victory in Pool B on Saturday . The Northampton Saints lock will now miss England 's next two fixtures at the New Zealand tournament against Georgia on Sunday and Romania on September 24 . A plea of `` not guilty '' was entered by Lawes and he now has 48 hours in which he can launch an appeal . `` Following a review of broadcast footage , Lawes was cited by Independent Citing Commissioner Murray Whyte ( Ireland ) under Law 10.4 ( a ) for striking Mario Ledesma with the knee , '' read a statement on the official Rugby World Cup web site . `` Taking into account mitigating factors being his excellent disciplinary record and remorse and the absence of aggravating factors , the Player was suspended for two weeks . `` In the context of the Rugby World Cup Tournament a week equates to one match . Therefore Lawes is suspended for two Rugby World Cup matches . '' Lawes made his England debut in November 2009 , in an 18-9 defeat to Australia at Twickenham , and now has nine caps . The London-born player will be hoping he can still play a significant part in England 's bid to reach a third successive World Cup final .
Courtney Walsh has been given a two - match World Cup ban . The England lock was found guilty of a dangerous tackle against Argentina . He will now miss England 's matches with France and Wales .