Andy Powell was dropped from Wales's Six Nations rugby union squad on Monday after being charged with drink-driving.

Powell was arrested in a golf buggy just hours after playing in Wales's 31-24 victory over Scotland at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on Saturday and faces a court hearing in Cardiff on March 2.

The 28-year-old back rower was arrested early on Sunday morning with another man at a service station near junction 33 of the M4 motorway, where the Wales team were staying.

"The Wales national squad management team today (Monday) confirmed back row forward Andy Powell will be removed from the Welsh 35-man RBS 6 Nations squad with immediate effect," said a statement from the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU).

The statement added: "After discussions with the player himself, it has been decided by management that he should be suspended from the squad for behaviour contrary to the squad's code of conduct."

Wales team manager Alan Phillips explained: "We take matters of player conduct extremely seriously ... Andy knows he has misbehaved and is apologetic, but he also knows that he must take responsibility for his own actions and accept the repercussions."

Powell is now set to miss Wales's February 26 clash at home to France, their March 13 match away to Ireland in Dublin and their tournament-ending Test against Italy at the Millennium Stadium on March 20.

Powell's agent, Mike Burton, told BBC Radio the player woke up early Sunday morning to see a local friend and as breakfast was not yet being served in the hotel, they decided to try the motorway services.

Powell was asked to take a breathalyser test and Burton confirmed he failed it, adding: "Andy was disappointed and embarrassed to find himself in this position.

"He does not excuse or condone drink-driving in any form and it was a misjudgment. He is sorry and he will face up to it."

The WRU said a specific replacement for Powell would not be added to the squad.

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