Eye-gouger Ashton out of Six Nations
Ashton was cited by match commissioner Yves Thieffine (France) for making contact with the eye(s) and/or eye area of the Ulster centre Luke Marshall in the 16th minute of the European Champions Cup Round Five match at Allianz Park last week – in contravention of Law 10.4 (m).
Judicial officer Jean-Noel Couraud (France) heard evidence and submissions from Ashton, who pleaded not guilty to the offence, from the Saracens team manager JP O'Reilly, from the Saracens legal representative Chris Smith and from the EPCR disciplinary officer Liam McTiernan.
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 is free to play on Monday, March 28.
England open their Six Nations campaign against Scotland on February 6 and their last match is against France on March 19.
Both the player and EPCR have the right to appeal the decision.
