English trio cited and could face bans

English captain Dylan Hartley and two other English forwards have been cited following this weekend’s European action.

European Professional Club Rugby announced that number eight Nathan Hughes and prop Joe Marler will also have disciplinary hearings on Wednesday following alleged offences.

The citings bring with them the possibility of bans, which will no doubt trouble Eddie Jones who is set to name his Autumn International squad on Thursday.

It does seem unlikely that Hartley will face further punishment however after Benjamin Kayser came to his defence yesterday.

“Rugby is rugby and, if you say that any hit on the head is a red card, there will be 25 a match,” said Kayser.

“The last thing we want is to go out and start playing on the rules and to start saying [to the referee], It was a cheap shot.”

“We are not football. We are just here to play hard and to keep on going. I don’t think it was a red card, just a yellow.”