Sale Sharks hooker Nathan Jibulu has been handed a six-week suspension after being found guilty of biting Harlequins prop Will Hobson during a Champions Cup match.
The incident occurred in the 69th minute of Sale's last-16 victory over Harlequins at the Twickenham Stoop on Saturday. Under rugby's Law 9.12, which prohibits physical abuse including biting, Jibulu faced a potential 12-week ban.
A disciplinary panel reduced the sanction by 50% after considering several mitigating factors. In their statement, they noted: "Taking into account his guilty plea, timely expression of remorse, his young age and inexperience and his clear disciplinary record, the committee decided to reduce the sanction by the maximum of 50%, before imposing a six-week suspension."
Sale Sharks issued their own statement acknowledging the incident: "Nathan admitted the offence and both the club and player agree that his actions were unacceptable. The club will be conducting its own internal disciplinary process but we will continue to fully support Nathan through what has been, and will be, a difficult period."
The suspension comes at a challenging time for Sale, who face Leinster in the Champions Cup quarter-finals this Saturday. The Sharks are already dealing with front-row injuries to Bevan Rodd (dislocated shoulder) and Luke Cowan-Dickie (suspected broken wrist or forearm), both sustained during the same match against Harlequins.
These injuries also raise concerns about the players' availability for England's upcoming summer tour, adding to the team's selection headaches as they prepare for their crucial European quarter-final clash in Dublin.