JOE Marler, at times a cantankerous individual, is prone to the odd brain fade but his red card offence against Sale may prove to be particularly costly.
Not only for Harlequins, who were undoubtedly hampered by the prop’s dismissal, but also for England, with the Six Nations less than a month away.
On this occasion it is hard to defend Marler, even if Quins’ director of rugby John Kingston did try. When a ruck was formed in the middle of the field with 20 minutes remaining, the 53-cap international appeared to dip his shoulder into the head of the defenceless TJ Ioane.
Provocation was not a mitigating factor either so, when referee Matthew Carley brandished the red card, few were surprised.
Marler will discover his fate soon enough. Australia tighthead Sekope Kepu was banned for three weeks earlier in the season for a no-arms clearout against Scotland but Marler’s previous record may count against him, despite Kingston querying the severity of the incident.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der January 07, 2018-Ausgabe von The Rugby Paper.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der January 07, 2018-Ausgabe von The Rugby Paper.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
Cunningham-South gunning for Boks
CHANDLER Cunningham-South is aiming to be a big hit against the Springboks on Saturday after adding New Zealand to his highlights reel.
Baxter backing Slade to adapt to changes
EXETER are confident that the decision to change their defensive system will not jeopardise Henry Slade's place in the England side.
Dallaglio: It will take brains to beat Boks
LAWRENCE Dallaglio has warned England they need brains and not just brawn to beat world champions South Africa at Twickenham next weekend.
Leaking 42 points at home is 'unforgivable'
DEFLATED Jamie George declared his side were not up to scratch after they slumped to another dismal defeat at England headquarters.
Ten-try Chiefs show Pirates no mercy
TEN-TRY Exeter inflicted the backlash from six successive defeats in their worst ever start to a Premiership season on a young Pirates side suffering their own problems in the Championship.
South America look to keep on building
AS Sebastián Piñeyrúa's historic six-year term as President of Rugby Sudamérica comes to an end, his replacement shows no signs of slowing down.
Scarratt excited by new pathway
ENGLAND centurion Emily Scarratt is delighted with the new women's BUCS programme which aims to provide a smoother pathway for young aspiring female players.
Baxter: I want to make things better
ROB Baxter will not be walking away from Exeter, the only club still looking for a Premiership victory this season, believing he can get the Chiefs back on track and he cannot bear the thought of anyone else doing the job.
Pearce walks in his father's footsteps
PADDY Pearce is living a dream after emulating his father and great-uncle by playing for the club he supported as a boy, Bristol.
New England group will cause uncertainty
SO JUST when we thought that everything was getting sorted between the RFU, the clubs and players, a number of new agreements and a new group raises its head.