Joe Marler to learn Six Nations fate at disciplinary hearing on Tuesday
Joe Marler will discover his Six Nations fate in a disciplinary hearing on Tuesday following his red card in Harlequins’ Aviva Premiership defeat at Sale.
Now the 27-year-old will appear before an independent Rugby Football Union (RFU) disciplinary panel on Tuesday in London, where he could receive a ban to put his Six Nations chances into doubt.
England prop Marler was sent off for striking with the shoulder as Harlequins lost 30-29 to the Sharks at the AJ Bell Stadium in Salford on Saturday.
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. Sale’s Ioane has also been cited for striking Marler with the arm, and will face a disciplinary hearing of his own on Tuesday.
“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 received a red card from referee Matt Carley during Saturday’s Aviva Premiership match against Sale Sharks for striking with the shoulder and making contact with Sale Sharks’ TJ Ioane, contrary to law 9.12 in the 58th minute.”
Marler missed England’s autumn international with Argentina due to a three-week suspension.
Sale star Ioane also landed himself in hot water for the two rivals’ clashes in Saturday’s league encounter.
“Ioane of Sale Sharks has been cited by independent citing commissioner Shaun Gallagher and will appear before an independent disciplinary panel,” continued the RFU statement.
“Ioane is charged with striking Harlequins’ Joe Marler with the arm, contrary to law 9.12. The incident occurred in the 53rd minute of the same match.”