Marler set to discover fate over red card

Joe Marler will discover his Six Nations fate at a disciplinary hearing today following his red card in Harlequins’ Aviva Premiership defeat at Sale.

England prop Marler was sent off by referee Matt Carley for striking TJ Ioane with the shoulder as Harlequins lost 30-29 to the Sharks at the AJ Bell Stadium in Salford on Saturday.

Now the 27-year-old will appear before an independent RFU disciplinary panel in London this evening, where he could receive a ban to put his Six Nations chances into doubt.

Marler could face a minimum six-week suspension for his red card, which could rule him out of at least three of England’s Six Nations clashes.

He missed England’s autumn international with Argentina due to a threeweek suspension.

Sale’s Ioane has also been cited for striking Marler with the arm, and will face a disciplinary hearing of his own, also today.

“Joe Marler of Harlequins will appear before an independent disciplinary panel and TJ Ioane of Sale Sharks has been cited by independent citing commissioner for incidents in the Aviva Premiership game between the two sides,” read an RFU statement.

Marler’s hearing takes place in London at 6.30pm tonight. The panel will be chaired by Philip Evans QC, with Aidan O’brien and Becky Essex.

Ioane will have the same panel but his hearing will be conducted via the phone at 7.30pm.