Owen Farrell and Joe Marler could miss European finals and England tour of Australia after semi-final citings
Saracens fly-half Owen Farrell and Harlequins prop Joe Marler could miss their clubs’ European finals – and possibly England’s summer tour of Australia – after being cited for foul play.
Farrell has been accused of committing a dangerous tackle on Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson during Saracens’ 24-17 win in Saturday’s European Champions Cup semi-final.
He was sent to the sin-bin at the time and if found guilty at a disciplinary hearing can expect a minimum ban of two weeks, or six weeks if the offence is deemed more serious.
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A suspension of three weeks or longer would keep Farrell out of the European Champions Cup final against Racing 92 in Lyon on 14 May and could jeopardise his place in the England squad for a three-Test tour of Australia the following month.
Marler has been cited for an alleged kick on Grenoble hooker Arnaud Heguy in Harlequins’ 30-6 European Challenge Cup win on Friday, which set up a final against Montpellier on 13 May.
The England forward was playing his first match since serving a two-week ban for calling Wales prop Samson Lee “Gypsy boy” during the Six Nations.
Quins boss Conor O’Shea was quick to exonerate Marler for his clash with Heguy, saying: “It was not a boot, it was nowhere near a boot – it was a shin. He got up, he did something, but it wasn’t a red card.”