Wales scrum-half Richie Rees has resigned himself to missing all of the Six Nations after receiving a 12-week ban for making contact with the eye of Northampton hooker Dylan Hartley while playing for Cardiff in a European Cup match last month.

Rees's ban was imposed last week and the Cardiff Blues No.9 had been considering an appeal in a bid to help him cement his place in the squad ahead of this September's World Cup in New Zealand.

But, in a statement issued Thursday by his club, Rees accepted his ban -- which expires on March 30, some 11 days after the end of the Six Nations.

"Having sought legal advice, with the support of the Blues and WRU (Welsh Rugby Union), we have decided not to appeal against the decision.

"Naturally I am disappointed at the outcome of the hearing and to be suspended for 12 weeks. Missing out on the Six Nations and some crucial games for the Cardiff Blues is hugely disappointing and hard to accept."

Rees pleaded not guilty to the complaint on the basis that any contact had been accidental.

But Irish independent judicial officer Pat Barriscale, who reviewed several angles of the incident from television footage and heard medical statements relating to the injuries sustained by Hartley, found Rees guilty.

Wales begin their Six Nations campaign at home to England on February 4 and conclude the tournament against France in Paris on March 19.

Then, as part of their preparations for New Zealand, Wales face the Barbarians in Cardiff on June 4, before playing England home and away and then Argentina in World Cup warm-up games during August.

The 27-year-old Rees won the first of his nine caps against England at Twickenham last year and has established himself as Wales's back-up scrum-half behind Mike Phillips.

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