Thursday 21 January 2016 15:31, UK
Saracens winger Chris Ashton has been ruled out of England's Six Nations campaign after being suspended for 10 weeks.
Ashton was cited for making contact with the eye area of Ulster centre Luke Marshall in last Saturday's Champions Cup clash.
The 28-year-old has three days to lodge an appeal and Saracens are weighing up whether to do so.
The independent Judicial Officer, Frenchman Jean-Noel Couraud, heard evidence and submissions from Ashton, who pleaded not guilty to the offence.
In statement, the disciplinary committee said: "In upholding the citing complaint, the Judicial Officer found that Ashton had committed an act of foul play that warranted a red card.
"He determined that that offence was at the low end of World Rugby's sanctions and selected 12 weeks as the appropriate entry point.
"He added one week as a deterrent according to World Rugby's memorandum regarding offences of this nature, before reducing the sanction by three weeks due to Ashton's good character and good conduct at the hearing.
"He then imposed a suspension of 10 weeks."
Ashton will not be able to play again until Monday, March 28. England's last Six Nations game is on March 19, away against France.
The former rugby league star was recalled to the England squad last week by new head coach Eddie Jones after an 18-month absence.
Jones will now be unable to call upon Ashton's services but says his absence does generate an opportunity for the players who are under consideration but are outside of the main group.
"I'm disappointed for him but there's the potential of an appeal so we'll have to wait and see what they do before we make a final decision," Jones told Sky Sports News HQ.
"Chris is a good player who has been in good form and I know how keen he was to get back in the international fold so it is disappointing for him. It opens up an opportunity for another player and there are a couple we're looking at.
"Players have these setbacks and I'm sure he's a good enough player to get back into it after he's served out his time.
"The suspensions are there for a reason and you've just got to take it on the chin and get on with it."
