Marler banned for Six Nations openers

JOE MARLER has been banned for six weeks and will miss england’s opening NatWest Six Nations games against Italy and Wales.

The Harlequins prop was sent off by referee Matthew Carley for striking Sale flanker TJ Ioane with his shoulder while he was clearing out a ruck during the 30-29 defeat at the AJ Bell Stadium on Saturday.

Marler, 27, appeared before a three-person disciplinary panel in London last night. He is free to play again on February 20 and will be available for england’s third game with Scotland at Murrayfield on February 24. It is Marler’s second suspension this season. He served a three-game ban for striking Wasps lock Will Rowlands with his elbow in an Aviva Premiership match.

‘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 panel chairman 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.’

Ioane was also cited for striking Marler in an earlier incident in the game and was handed a two-week ban.

The absence of Marler ( right) is a selection headache for england coach eddie Jones with ellis Genge and Matt Mullan injured. That leaves Mako Vunipola as the only experienced loosehead prop available ahead of england’s championship defence. The door is now open for rookie Bath prop Beno Obano to stake his claim. Meanwhile, england and Worcester centre Ben Te’o is also set to miss the start of the Six Nations as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury.