Saracens' Brad Barritt banned by RFU but Richard Barrington cleared

Saracens and England centre Brad Barritt has been banned for three weeks by the RFU for his high tackle on Geoff Parling, but team-mate Richard Barrington, who was red carded at the time of the incident, has been cleared.

Barritt, 30, apologised to Exeter Chiefs second-row Parling on Monday after his high tackle left the lock unconscious. 

Saracens skipper Barritt made the hit on Parling in a dual tackle with prop Barrington, for which Barrington saw red from referee Ian Tempest but Barritt received no punishment, with both players subsequently cited by the Rugby Football Union.

Parling had to be stretchered from the pitch having been knocked unconscious, although he did recover sufficiently to watch the remainder of the match from the sidelines. 

Prop Barrington was cited contrary to law 10.4(g) for dangerous charging, while Barritt was cited contrary to law 10.4(e) for dangerous tackling.

Both of the charges against the Saracens pair were heard by the RFU in London on Tuesday, with Barrington cleared of any wrongdoing and available to play immediately, while Barritt, who pleaded guilty, was given a three-week suspension, leaving him free to play again on January 31. 

"Following very careful analysis, the panel found that Mr Barrington had not committed the act of foul play alleged," said the RFU Disciplinary panel in a statement.

"The incident arose out of the specific dynamic of Mr Parling falling unconscious into what would have otherwise been a legitimate contact by Mr Barrington.

"In line with the new sanctions a mid-range entry of six weeks was imposed on Mr Barritt reduced to three weeks in light of mitigation including his guilty plea."

The RFU Disciplinary panel comprised of Chairman Jeremy Summers, Tom Rees and Dr Julian Morris.