The new Western Force prop Matt Dunning is available for the start of the Super 14 rugby season after escaping suspension for punching an opponent during a pre-season fixture.
Dunning, making his Force debut, was thrown into the fray in the 60th minute of the Perth side's 54-12 loss to the Stormers in Cape Town on Saturday night.
But the 31-year-old Wallaby, who signed with the Force for the 2010 season after 99 games with the Waratahs, lasted just 15 minutes before he was shown a red card for punching an opponent.
Stormers forward Jacque Potgieter was also shown a red card for his involvement in the fracas.
Dunning fronted a judiciary on Monday and pleaded guilty to striking.
But he escaped suspension after the judiciary deemed the red card handed out on the night was punishment enough, freeing him to play in Tuesday's practice match against the Sharks in Cape Town.
He will also be available for the Force's final pre-season hit-out against the Reds on February the 5th and the Super 14 season opener against the Brumbies on February the 12th.
