Row’s a low blow raps Dan

DANNY CARE claims the Joe Marler testicletampering row is sour grapes by Wales.

The England prop appears before Six Nations disciplinary chiefs today facing a possible 12week ban for grabbing the gonads of Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones. Harlequins appear resigned to him getting a suspension and Care (above)

believes Jones’ reaction was a factor. The England scrum-half said: “If Wales win then I don’t think it’s as big an issue. “Alun Wyn Jones’ reaction after the game is probably a disappointed and angry Alun Wyn Jones, and that is a way to take a bit of that anger out.”

At the time Jones said: “What would you do in that situation? If I react I get a red card. Hopefully World Rugby have a look at it.”

Care said: “I’ve lost count of the number of people who have touched my genitals in a game of rugby. I don’t see it as a big deal. You could see there was no malice in it.”

Asked what kind of spirits Marler is in, Quins boss Paul Gustard quipped: “Whisky, I think!”

But he’s frustrated the case attracted such attention on a weekend in which France prop Mohamed Haouas was sent off for a punch to the face and Manu Tuilagi for a no-arms shot to the head.

Haouas was last night banned for three weeks after accepting he had committed an act of foul play.

Gustard said: “Joe Marler is a high-profile player but the furore doesn’t seem to be mirrored in the same amount of media coverage and people talking about the French kid that could have broken someone’s jaw with a punch.

“Or a vicious tackle with no arms, or whatever. That’s kind of a frustration for me. The safety of players is paramount.”