VIDEO: Low blow for maverick Marler

DISCIPLINARY UPDATE: Six Nations has delivered its verdict on the disciplinary hearings of three England players – Manu Tuilagi, Courtney Lawes and Joe Marler.

The disciplinary hearings stem from incidents of foul play in England’s 33-30 win over Wales in a spiteful game last weekend.

The maverick prop, Marler, has been slapped with a 10-week ban for his loopy behaviour – when he fondled the genitals of Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones, with a silly grin on his face.

Marler appeared before a disciplinary committee in Dublin on Thursday.

Marler had been the subject of a citing complaint by citing commissioner Peter Ferguson.

The citing complaint alleged that Marler had infringed Law 9.27 (acts against the spirit of good sportsmanship) when, in the first half of the match, he grabbed, twisted or squeezed the genitals of a Welsh player (Jones).

Marler accepted that he had committed an act of foul play, albeit that he did not accept that he had grabbed, twisted or squeezed the genitals of the Welsh player and he did not accept that it warranted a red card.

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The disciplinary committee – which comprised David Hurley (Ireland), Sarah Smith (Scotland) and Stefan Terblanche (South Africa) – heard evidence and submissions from Marler and his legal counsel, Richard Smith respectively (as well as from Six Nations’ legal representative).

The disciplinary committee found that Marler had committed an act of foul play (an infringement of Law 9.27) and that it had warranted a red card, so the citing complaint was upheld.

The disciplinary committee found that the act of foul play warranted a low-end entry point (12 weeks’ suspension) and reduced that by three weeks to take account of mitigating factors (including good character and remorse).

However, they increased it by one week to take account of his most recent disciplinary record.

Marler is therefore suspended for 10 weeks and, given his playing schedule, is free to resume playing on Monday, June 8.

He was reminded of his right to appeal.

* Meanwhile England No.13 Manu Tuilagi also appeared before a disciplinary committee in Dublin.

Tuilagi had received a red card in the same match.

The red card was issued for an infringement of Law 9.16 (dangerous charge) when, in the 75th minute of the match, he tackled the Wales No.14, George North.

Tuilagi accepted that he had committed an act of foul play, but did not accept that it warranted a red card.

The disciplinary committee – which comprised David Hurley (Ireland), Donal Courtney (Ireland) and Sarah Smith (Scotland) – heard evidence and submissions from Tuilagi and his legal counsel, Richard Smith respectively (as well as from Six Nations’ legal representative).

The disciplinary committee found that Tuilagi had committed an act of foul play (an infringement of Law 9.16) and that it had warranted a red card.

The disciplinary committee found that the act of foul play warranted a mid-range entry point (six weeks’ suspension) and reduced that by two weeks to take account of mitigating factors (including good conduct and immediate remorse).

Tuilagi is therefore suspended for four weeks and, given his playing schedule, he is free to resume playing on Tuesday, April 14.

He was reminded of his right to appeal.

* In the final case Lawes had been the subject of a citing complaint by the citing commissioner Peter Ferguson.

The citing complaint alleged that Lawes had infringed Law 9.13 (dangerous tackling) when, in the first half of the match, he tackled Alun Wyn Jones.

Lawes accepted that he had committed an act of foul play, but he did not accept that it warranted a red card.

The disciplinary committee – which comprised David Hurley (Ireland), Sarah Smith (Scotland) and Donal Courtney (Ireland) – heard evidence and submissions from Lawes and his legal counsel, Richard Smith respectively (as well as from Six Nations’ legal representative).

The disciplinary committee found that Lawes had committed an act of foul play (an infringement of Law 9.13) but not such that it had warranted a red card, so the citing complaint was not upheld.

Lawes is free to resume playing immediately.