Juan Pablo Socino given two-week suspension

Newcastle Falcons' Juan Pablo Socino has been given a two-week suspension for striking the head of Exeter Chiefs' Ian Whitton with his arm contrary to law 10.4(a).

The incident occurred in the first minute of the second half of the match Exeter Chiefs v Newcastle Falcons on Saturday 7 October 2017.

“The panel found this was a reckless act in which the player made contact with the opposition player's jaw with his forearm," said the chairman of the panel Antony Davie.

"In line with the new sanction table, this mandates a mid-range entry point . Thereafter the panel gave full credit for the player's previous record, his good character (displayed both on-field in remaining with the injured player and at the hearing) and reduced the ban to two weeks."

Socino is free to play again on 24 October 2017.