Rugby: Chris Ashton Banned For Seven Weeks
England’s Chris Ashton was given a red card for a tip handle in Sale Sharks’ pre-season friendly game against Castres, and now he has been banned for 7 weeks.
Rugby: Chris Ashton On The Verge Of Being Banned?
Despite Ashton not acknowledging the charge, for the handle on Castres scrum-half Rory Kockott, he was discovered guilty for it by the independent board process.
The 31 year old, who joined Sale from Toulon this mid year, will miss the initial six rounds of the Premiership campaign.
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Previously, Ashton was named in the England squad out of the blue on 2 August. But, now England’s head coach, Eddie Jones will choose another training squad on 20 September amid Ashton’s suspension, in spite of the fact that he will be accessible as he is just suspended from official matches, and not from training.
Independent panel chair Richard Whittam QC said:
It is an important principle of rugby regulation to prevent injury to others. While in this case the panel accepts no injury was caused, it still amounted to foul play that clearly met the red card threshold.
Ashton was given an additional week over the standard six-week punishment for his “poor disciplinary record”.
Given his track record I wonder what odds I can get on Chris Ashton to be the England captain for RWC?? #WhatOddsPaddy @AskPaddyPower
— Padraig O’Neill (@PatcheSAM) 23 August 2018
His past suspensions incorporate a 13-week boycott for biting and a 10-week suspension for eye gouging, both of which happened while at Saracens.
The previous Northampton three-quarter’s first appearance for his club side could come in the European Challenge Cup against French Top 14 side Perpignan on 12 October.
Talking in front of the decision, Sale manager Steve Diamond safeguarded Ashton’s activities, saying he was completely advocated as his conduct was in “self defence” in the midst of proposals of eye-gouging.
What are your thoughts on your ex-teammate Chris Ashton’s disciplinary outcome? Rory Kockott got one week for a ‘shove’!
— Alex Hudson (@AJFHudson) 23 August 2018
Chris Ashton’s England comeback hits huge hurdle with seven-week ban for tip-tackle in Sale Sharks friendly: Chris Ashton’s tentative England comeback has already stalled after he was given a seven-week ban for a tip-tackle made during Sale’s pre-sea.. https://t.co/bDWSsqmoUl
— Soccer PM (@PMsoccer_) 23 August 2018
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