Joe Marler banned for two weeks after Grenoble citing

Joe Marler has been handed a two-week ban by an EPCR disciplinary panel after he was cited during Harlequins' European Challenge Cup semi-final win over Grenoble.

The England prop was cited for kicking hookerArnaud Heguy during the 30-6 victory at The Stoop.

And a committee ruled the offence was worthy of a red card, meaning Marler will now be unavailable until May 7th. He will however be available for the Challenge Cup final against Montpellier in Edinburgh on May 13th.

Marler's ban comes just after he served a two-game suspension for calling Welsh prop Samson Lee "gypsy boy" during England's Six Nations win over Warren Gatland's side.

An EPCR statement read: "A Disciplinary Committee consisting of Roger Morris (Wales), Chairman, Simon Thomas (Wales) and Kathrine Mackie (Scotland) heard evidence and submissions from Marler, who accepted that he had committed an act of foul play but who did not accept that the foul play warranted a red card, and from Richard Smith QC on behalf of Marler.

“The Committee also heard evidence and submissions from the EPCR Disciplinary Officer, Liam McTiernan.

“In upholding the citing complaint, the Committee found that Marler had committed an act of foul play that warranted a red card. It determined that the offence was at the low end of World Rugby’s sanctions and selected four weeks as the appropriate entry point.

“In deciding to disregard the player’s recent suspension as it was of an entirely different nature, the Committee then reduced the sanction by two weeks - 50% of the entry point - before imposing a suspension of two weeks.

“Marler is free to play on Monday, 9 May. Both the player and EPCR have the right to appeal the decision.”