Craig Willis banned for 4 weeks

Newcastle Falcons fly-half Craig Willis has been handed a four-week suspension by the RFU disciplinary panel after he was found guilty of 'tip-tackling' Saracens centre Nick Tompkins during their recent Anglo-Welsh Cup clash.

"The tackle started off legitimately, it being a technique he is specifically coached to carry out, however it did not end up as intended and having lifted the player off the ground the first point of contact between the Saracens player and the ground was the top of the shoulder. There was no injury caused," read the RFU discipline panel statement.

"The panel followed the World Rugby memoranda for tackles of this nature and increased the low end entry point of 4 weeks by 1 week. A number of mitigating features enabled the panel to reduce the sanction by 1 week but not 2 as he did not accept the referees award of the red card."