Watch - Exiled Wales star Joe Hawkins cops ban for hit that hurt him more than ball carrier

Exiled Wales star Joe Hawkins has received a ban for an incident over the weekend in his side's 40-17 loss in the Champions Cup to Bayonne.

The Exeter Chiefs centre has been handed a three-week suspension after an independent Disciplinary Hearing found his guilty regarding the Round 4 match against Bayonne at Stade Jean-Dauger.

Hawkins was shown a red card in the 77th minute by referee Nika Amashukeli of Georgia for dangerously tackling Aviron Bayonnais replacement Federico Mori contravening Law 9.13 which states a player must not tackle an opponent early late or dangerously.

The ban comes even though Hawkins came off much the worse of the two players involved.

Under World Rugby’s Sanctions for Foul Play Law 9.13 has sanction entry points of 2 weeks at the low end 6 weeks mid-range and 10 to 52 weeks at the top end. The case was reviewed on a papers-only basis by independent Judicial Officer Pamela Woodman from Scotland who concluded that Hawkins' tackle warranted a red card. She deemed the offense to be mid-range leading to a starting sanction of six weeks.

Three cards in 10 minutes 😳@ExeterChiefs go down to 12 men as Joe Hawkins is red carded.#InvestecChampionsCup #BAYvEXE pic.twitter.com/22V8WND1mk

— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) January 21, 2024

The sanction was halved to three weeks considering Hawkins' prompt acceptance of the charge and his cooperation with the disciplinary process. As per the Exeter Chiefs' fixture list Hawkins can return to play on Monday 19 February. However with a completed World Rugby Coaching Intervention he may resume playing as early as Monday 12 February.