RFU ban Van Rensburg and Heem

Sale centre Rohan Janse van Rensburg and Worcester's Bryce Heem have been banned after being cited following Saturday's Gallagher Premiership clash between the clubs.

Van Rensburg has been suspended for a week and Heem for four after the pair appeared before an independent disciplinary panel on Tuesday night.

The Sale player admitted striking Francois Hougaard during the first half of his side's 39-17 defeat, while Heem, who had contested a charge over an alleged tip tackle on Paolo Odogwu, was found guilty.

An England Rugby statement said: "Rohan Janse van Rensburg (Sale Sharks) and Bryce Heem (Worcester Warriors) have received a one-week and four-week suspension respectively, after appearing before an independent disciplinary panel on Tuesday night.

"Both players were cited following the match between Worcester Warriors and Sale Sharks on Saturday 13th April.

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"The Sharks centre was alleged to have struck Francois Hougaard in the first half of the match contrary to Law 9.12, whilst Bryce Heem was cited for an alleged tip tackle on Paolo Odogwu in the second half of the match contrary to Law 9.18.

"Van Rensburg accepted the charge and was given a one-week suspension by the independent panel comprising of Matthew Weaver (chair), Mitchell Read and Guy Lovgreen. He is free to play again on 23 April 2019.

"Heem contested the charge, but was given a four-week suspension by the same panel. His return to play date is to be confirmed due to only three regular season games remaining."

Speaking about Van Rensburg's penalty, panel chair Weaver said: "In the absence of significant injury to the Worcester player, the panel were satisfied that a low end entry point was appropriate and that he was entitled to full mitigation reducing the sanction to one week."

On Helm, Weaver added: "The player did not accept the charge, but was entitled to mitigation by way of his remorse, his exceptional conduct in the hearing and his off-field community engagement programmes."