Julien Dupuy (AFP Photo)

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Dublin - France scrumhalf Julien Dupuy was handed a six-month ban by the European Rugby Cup (ERC) for gouging in a Heineken Cup match between his Stade Francais side and Ulster last weekend, ERC said in a statement on Friday.

The Frenchman had been cited for gouging flanker Stephen Ferris's eyes in an ill-tempered game won 23-13 by Ulster at Ravenhill, Belfast.

Dupuy, who turns 26 on Saturday and has won six caps for France, will be out until June 3 next year which rules him out of the annual Six Nations championship and effectively means his season is over.

Dupuy has the right to appeal the decision while team mate David Attoub, also cited for gouging, was told his hearing had been adjourned until January.

Earlier in the week the players issued a joint apology.

"Again we apologise to the players and the Ulster club. Our actions were neither premeditated nor intentional," they said on the club's website.

"We also want to apologise to our club, players and staff for the negative image we have created." Stade Francais and Ulster meet again on Saturday in Brussels with both teams level on points at the top of Pool Four.