Bristol prop Sarah Bern handed one-match ban as citing upheld

England prop Sarah Bern will miss Bristol Bears’ Premiership Women’s Rugby encounter with Harlequins on Friday after she picked up a one-match ban.

Bern, making her first PWR appearance since helping the Red Roses defend their WXV 1 title in Canada, was cited for “dangerous play in a ruck” during last weekend’s win at Sale Sharks.

The incident was alleged to have taken place in the 30th minute of the Bears’ 57-10 victory, shortly before Bern powered over for one of her side’s nine tries at CorpAcq Stadium.

The tighthead contested the charge but the citing was upheld by an independent disciplinary panel, chaired by Daniel Gore, on Wednesday and she will now miss the round five match at Shaftesbury Park.

A statement released by the Rugby Football Union said: "The Panel considered the dynamics of the incident and determined that the citing should be upheld on the basis that this was a reckless act which breached the player's duty of care to her opponent."

Bern will next be available for selection when Bristol head to Welford Road on November 9 to take on Leicester Tigers.

The prop spent a large spell on the sidelines through injury last season but returned to start Bristol’s 36-24 PWR final defeat to Gloucester-Hartpury at Sandy Park in June.

She subsequently played a part in both of England’s WXV warm-ups, victories over France and New Zealand, and was part of the matchday squad for all three of the Red Roses’ matches in Canada.

Bristol currently sit fourth in the PWR table, a defeat to Saracens coming in between wins against Loughborough Lightning and Sale.