JOHN Shaw, the Caledonian Reds star sent off at McDiarmid Park on Wednesday, has been banned for a month after being blamed for sparking an off-the-ball fight with Maori Hare Makiri.

Shaw and Makiri were dismissed by French referee Joel Judge after the second-half brawl during an ill-tempered clash, which the tourists won 53-15.

The Scot was suspended for 30 days by match commisioner Lorne Crerar, while Makiri only received a 14-day sentence.

Glasgow officials confirmed that Shaw had been identified as the prime culprit in the trouble, and he will miss Tuesday's encounter with Fiji at Firhill.

Reds spokesman Bill McMurtrie said: ''In the wake of Jason White's suspension last week, Shaw's punishment leaves us short of back-row cover.

''However, we would hope to have Rob Wainwright back in the squad if he is not required for Scotland's World Cup qualifier against Portugal at Murrayfield next Saturday.''

q WHEN his new nation meet his former compatriots tomorrow, Matt Proudfoot will be the model of frustration in his seat at Murrayfield.

After switching his rugby allegiance from South Africa to Scotland six months ago, his dearest wish was to line up for one against the other at Murrayfield.

His dream was dashed, however, when he was at the centre of a neck-break scare during the Edinburgh Reivers v Toulouse European Cup clash at Easter Road six weeks ago.

The good news, however, is that he has resumed light training and hopes to be back in the fray towards the end of January.

After his first jog around Gala's Netherdale ground yesterday he said: ''There is a long way to go, but the first hurdle is always the highest and I am delighted to have cleared it.''