Wales are hopeful that Lee Byrne will be cleared © Getty Images

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Players/Officials: Lee Byrne

Tournaments/Tours: Six Nations

Teams: England | Wales

Wales fullback Lee Byrne has been cleared to face England in their Six Nations opener at Twickenham on Saturday.

The 29-year-old won an appeal against a two-week ban imposed following his brief appearance as a 16th player in the Ospreys' Heineken Cup victory over Leicester 10 days ago. An independent appeal committee decided Byrne's sanction should be varied to a 5,000 euros fine.

Byrne admitted a misconduct charge last Friday and was suspended, but Wales head coach Warren Gatland delayed his team announcement for the England game until Wednesday in the hope Byrne might be available. The British & Irish Lions star is now set to line up at Twickenham when Wales will chase a fourth successive Six Nations win against their hosts.

The appeal committee's decision was announced almost four hours after Byrne's hearing began in Glasgow. In a statement, European Rugby Cup said, "An independent appeal committee allowed the appeal brought by Ospreys player Lee Byrne against the level of sanction imposed by an independent disciplinary hearing. The appeal was against the level of sanction imposed by the original independent disciplinary hearing on January 29, who had found Mr Byrne guilty of a misconduct complaint arising from the Heineken Cup match against Leicester Tigers in that he had re-entered the pitch without the referee's permission and that he knew, or ought to have known, that he needed that permission.

"The independent appeal committee, chaired by Rod McKenzie (Scotland) and also comprising Professor Lorne Crerar (Scotland) and Bill Dunlop (Scotland), found that Mr Byrne had demonstrated that the original decision had been in error and the sanction should be varied to a fine of 5,000 euros. Mr Byrne is free to play again."

Leicester, whose defeat meant they were knocked out of Europe, lodged an official complaint with ERC after Byrne went back on following his departure due to a bloodied toe. Sonny Parker had replaced him three minutes earlier, but the Ospreys briefly had 16 players on the field until fly-half Dan Biggar then left the action. Like Byrne, the Ospreys were hit with a misconduct complaint, receiving a fine of 25,000 euros.

Byrne missed Wales' entire autumn Test series due to injury, but his successful appeal has also freed up James Hook for a likely midfield role alongside Jamie Roberts. Had Byrne remained suspended until February 12, then Hook was expected to retain the number 15 shirt he wore as Byrne's autumn deputy, with Andrew Bishop probably partnering Roberts.

Gatland though, can now announce a side set to feature seven survivors from the side that beat England 26-19 at Twickenham two years ago - Byrne, Hook, Shane Williams, Adam Jones, Alun-Wyn Jones, Martyn Williams and captain Ryan Jones.

Welsh Rugby Union chief executive Roger Lewis, said, "I am delighted that the Independent Appeal Committee have reached this decision which is great news for Lee Byrne and for Wales. It has been an extremely difficult time for the player, but we have been determined to give him all the support he needed to achieve this fair resolution of a difficult matter.

"It has not been an easy decision either for the original independent committee hearing the evidence or the appeal panel and I applaud them all on their diligence in this matter. I hope this sends out a message to the followers of Welsh rugby that the WRU is an organisation which will always stand by individuals who deserve and need our help.

"We sat down with Lee as soon as the original penalty was announced and started to plan for the appeal. There have been a lot of meetings and discussions over the past days but it has all been worthwhile because we are now celebrating an important victory for all concerned. I know how hard all the players, coaches and backroom staff in the national squad work for success and they must always be confident that the WRU will stand firm in support of all their efforts.

"We want every player who pulls on a Welsh jersey to know that we are with them all the way. Now it's back to business and we can all look forward to a great game of rugby at Twickenham."