Joe Marler one of three England players to face a disciplinary committee
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England prop Joe Marler and centre Manu Tuilagi will learn their fate later this week after the Six Nations set a date for their disciplinary hearings.
Marler has been cited for the incident which saw him grab the genitals of Wales’ captain Alun Wyn Jones while Tuilagi will also face a hearing following the red card he received against Wales for a dangerous tackle.
England’s versatile forward Courtney Lawes has also been cited for a dangerous tackle in the encounter against Wales.
Marler could face a lengthy ban for his actions as he does not have the cleanest disciplinary record. In 2016, he was been banned for two matches and fined £20,000 after he called Wales prop Samson Lee “Gypsy boy”.
World Rugby’s punishment for an offence it describes as “testicle grabbing or twisting or squeezing” ranges from a suspension of 12 to 24 weeks or more.
A Six Nations statement read: “The England No. 1 Joe Marler has been cited for an alleged infringement of Law 9.27 (A Player must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship – Hair pulling or grabbing; Spitting at anyone; Grabbing, twisting or squeezing the genitals (and/or breasts in the case of female players.) during the Six Nations England v Wales match last Saturday. A disciplinary hearing will take place on Thursday 12.03.2020 in Dublin.
“The England No. 6 Courtney Lawes has been cited for an alleged infringement of Law 9.13 (A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously. Dangerous tackling includes but is not limited to tackling or attempting to tackle an opponent above the line of the shoulders even if the tackle starts below the line of the shoulders) during the Six Nations England v Wales match last Saturday. A disciplinary hearing will take place on Thursday 12.03.2020 in Dublin.
“The England No. 13 Manu Tuilagi was red carded during the England v Wales match last Saturday for an infringement of Law 9.16 (A player must not charge or knock down an opponent carrying the ball without attempting to grasp that player). A disciplinary hearing will take place on Thursday 12.03.2020 in Dublin.”
