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.
Denne historien er fra January 07, 2018-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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Denne historien er fra January 07, 2018-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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Unbeaten Lymm put the Tykes on a leash
LYMM maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign, taking the major scalp of Leeds Tykes and ending the visitors' unblemished start.
Dramatic late win boosts leaders
A LAST-minute converted try saw Tonbridge Juddians snatch victory from the jaws of defeat at Barnes.
England need to be more consistent
I WAS at last week's game against the All Blacks and as much as I enjoyed my first visit to the stadium since the Six Nations, I couldn't help noticing a different attitude of those in control of the stadium's notification system which puts out messages to the crowd.
Cuthbert: Wales have to deliver
ALEX Cuthbert says the pressure on Wales is huge ahead of their opening Autumn Nations Series game against Fiji today.
Anyanwu heads the list of star attractions
TOP 14 transfer speculation is always thoroughly entertaining, and this season has so far been no exception.
Goldthorp can challenge Kildunne for No.15 spot
LOUGHBOROUGH Lightning head coach Nathan Smith is backing Fran Goldthorp to compete with Ellie Kildunne, right, for England's No.15 jersey.
Four-try David calls the shots for Bears
MILLIE David helped Bristol blow Leicester away after scoring four of their 10 tries at Welford Road.
Scott-Young keen to follow his father
TYPICAL of most Australians, Scott-Young Angus has fairly sunny disposition and the loose forward is confident that Saints can soon start to turn things around on the road.
When value for money is not part of the deal
ENGLAND'S bench strategy against New Zealand - goodbye \"bomb squad\", hello \"squib squad\"-has been investigated, psychoanalysed, convicted on all charges and mercilessly sentenced by the entire rugby world and its maiden aunt, so there is no earthly point in returning to the scene of the crime.
'I want to prove my worth to Bath'
OUT-OF-FAVOUR winger RuBath aridh McConnochie is hoping to use the Premiership Cup to lay down a challenge to Johann van Graan and make his selection claims impossible to ignore.
