JOE KO FOR THE GET-GO
Banned England prop will miss the first two matches
JOE MARLER will miss the start of England’s Six Nations defence after being handed a six-week ban for foul play.
The prop’s second suspension of the season rules him out of matches against Italy, in Rome on February 4, and Wales at Twickenham, six days later.
Marler pleaded guilty to striking TJ Ioane with his shoulder during Harlequins’ clash at Sale last Saturday.
The retaliation to an earlier blow from Ioane that earned the Sharks’ forward a twoweek ban, brought a red card, which an independent disciplinary tribunal last night upheld.
“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 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.
“However, because of his plea, his conduct since the incident took place and other personal mitigation, the panel allowed some reduction”.
Marler’s latest ban comes less than three months after he was suspended for striking another opponent, this time with his arm.
That cost him his starting place in the autumn Tests and, with the 2019 World Cup nearing, he is becoming a problem for boss Eddie Jones.
The Australian stood by Marler when he was handed a two-match ban in April 2016 for calling Wales’ Samson Lee “Gipsy Boy”.
The Sussex-born forward was then suspended again for kicking a French opponent in a European Cup tie – before withdrawing from England’s 2016 summer tour of Australia to get his head right.
With Leicester’s Ellis Genge emerging as second choice to England’s No.1 loosehead Mako Vunipola, Marler has his work cut out to get back in.
Jones’ day worsened with news from Worcester that Ben Te’o is also likely to be unavailable for the first two rounds of the Six Nations.