England flanker Lewis Moody has become available for the RBS 6 Nations opener against Wales on February 4 following an error in setting a return date from suspension.

Moody was suspended for nine weeks by a Six Nations disciplinary panel after fighting with Samoa winger Alesana Tuilagi in the last of England's November internationals.

The tribunal started the ban from November 26 - the day of the offence - which meant Moody could not return until Sunday, giving him no chance to prove his fitness ahead of the Wales clash.

But the Six Nations committee have since declared they "made a mistake" by saying the ban would end on January 29 and that the suspension should only have included eight Saturdays.

With the ban now ending on Friday, the 27-year-old Leicester flanker is available to play in the Guinness Premiership clash with Sale on the following day, giving him a crucial run-out before the Wales game.

A Leicester spokesman said: "Lewis is available for the Sale match on Saturday. He will be considered for selection."

The blunder reflects poorly on the Six Nations committee and is sure to raise suspicion, but neither England nor the Rugby Football Union were involved in the disciplinary process.

There will be no complaints from England head coach Andy Robinson, however, who is sure to monitor Moody's performance against Sale closely in order to assess his availability for the Twickenham opener seven days later.

If Moody is fit, he could retain the number seven jersey because the most likely alternative, Pat Sanderson, has been sidelined since Christmas with a back problem.