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Abraham and Wilson banned

Sharks flanker handed two-week suspension for striking

Last updated: 5th January 2009

Abraham: Suspended

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Sale Sharks flanker Luke Abraham has been banned for two weeks for striking Bath centre Alex Crockett with his head, while Northampton's Roger Wilson has been handed a five-week ban for a dangerous tackle.

Saints number eight Wilson was handed his five-week ban by the Rugby Football Union for his dangerous tackle on Harlequins flanker Will Skinner.

The Ireland international's tackle came in the seventh minute of Northampton's 23-13 victory against Quins at Franklin's Gardens on December 20.

Wilson was called to attend an RFU disciplinary hearing after an independent citing officer viewed the tackle on video.

Wilson pleaded guilty to the offence and will not be able to play again for Northampton until February 10.

Sharks man banned

Sharks man Abraham was cited for his offence which happened during Sale's Guinness Premiership game at the Recreation Ground on December 20.

Abraham pleaded guilty to striking with his head when he appeared at an RFU disciplinary panel meeting on Monday night near Leeds.

The RFU panel have reacted by handing out a two-week ban and Abraham will be unavailable for Sale until January 7, with the ban starting from the day of the citing on December 24.

An ill-tempered affair was won by Bath 24-20 after Matt Banahan grabbed a dramatic late victory inside the final minute.

The RFU panel that handed out the suspension was made up of chairman Antony Davies, Peter Rhodes and David MacInnes.