Banned - Joe Marler to miss chunk of Six Nations

Joe Marler of Harlequins appeared before an independent disciplinary panel this evening after receiving a red card from referee Matt Carley during Saturday’s Aviva Premiership match against Sale Sharks.

He was sent off in the 58th minute for striking with the shoulder and making contact with Sale Sharks’ TJ Ioane, contrary to law 9.12.

Marler pleaded guilty to the charge and was suspended for a period of six weeks. He is available to play again on 20 February 2018.

The chairman of the panel Philip Evans QC said: “The panel found that contact was made with the head of TJ Ioane and as a result the mandatory entry point is mid-range.

"The panel considered that the player's previous record was such that it required an additional period of suspension of one week, however because of his plea, his conduct since the incident took place and other personal mitigation, the panel allowed some reduction”.

The charge against TJ Ioane of Sale Sharks, who was cited by independent citing commissioner Shaun Gallagher for striking Harlequin's Joe Marler with the arm, contrary to law 9.12, was heard on papers by an independent disciplinary panel this evening.

The incident occurred in the 53rd minute of Saturday’s Aviva Premiership match against Sale Sharks.

Ioane consented to the matter being dealt with on papers and pleaded guilty to the charge. He was suspended for a period of two weeks. He is available to play again on 23 January 2018.