England's Joe Marler to miss two Six Nations games with six-week ban

Harlequins and England prop Joe Marler will miss the first two rounds of the Six Nations after receiving a six-week suspension.

Marler pleaded guilty to a shoulder strike on Sale Sharks’ TJ Ioane in the 58th minute of Harlequins’ 30-29 away defeat on Saturday.

The RFU opted to ban Marler until February 20, meaning he will be unavailable for England’s Six Nations opener in Italy on February 4 and the visit of Wales to Twickenham six days later.

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

“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.”