Exeter Chiefs prop Josh Iosefa-Scott has been banned for three matches after striking Hartpury’s Robbie Smith in the face during their Premiership Rugby Cup match on Saturday.

The incident happened after the 28-year-old had initially been penalised for a foul on Hartpury full-back Alex Morgan in the Chiefs’ 54-3 win.

The RFU described it as a “strike (possibly punch)”, with Iosefa-Scott shown an immediate yellow card before grappling with an opposition player and receiving a second yellow and a red.

“As the ball is being contested at a ruck, Exeter 17 Josh Iosefa-Scott enters and clears out Hartpury 15 Alex Morgan from the back of the breakdown but is penalised by the referee for his entry,” the RFU report says.

“Hartpury 12 Robbie Smith walking back to the penalty taps Exeter 17 on his behind.

“There is a reaction from Exeter 17 and he strikes Hartpury 12 to the face with some force and then follows this by grabbing the player by his shirt.

“A number of other players then get involved but no obvious acts of foul play take place.”

Iosefa-Scott will miss Exeter’s Premiership matches against Gloucester and Bath, as well as their European Champions Cup opener at Sharks on Saturday, 7 December.

He has made five appearances for Chiefs this season.