Joe Marler has been banned for two weeks for comments to Jake Heenan

Joe Marler has been banned for two weeks with a further four weeks suspended for comments made towards Bristol flanker Jake Heenan.

Harlequins and England prop Joe Marler, who accepted a charge of conduct prejudicial to the game, made the remarks during the first half of Tuesday’s Premiership match that reportedly related to Heenan’s mother.

The greater 4-week suspension will be activated ought to the 32-yr-antique commit a comparable offence earlier than the end of the 2023-24 season, at the same time as he should also supply a presentation to a nearby membership or college, and to a Premiership academy, on the middle values of the game.

He didn’t recognise the entire context of what he stated. What he stated became incorrect. He reached out to Jake and Jake responded and widely wide-spread his apology and then they had a good chat after that.

“He has been apologetic to us as nicely. He is aggravated that he has dragged the membership into this kerfuffle.” Joe Marler’s ban way he will miss Premiership suits towards Northampton and Sale.

Gareth Graham, who chaired the disciplinary panel, stated: “The insulting and offensive remarks made via the participant have been wholly beside the point; such feedback ought to shape no part of the current recreation.”

It is Joe Marler’s state-of-the-art brush with the rugby authorities. In 2016, he received a two-week suspension and changed into fined £20,000 for calling Wales prop Samson Lee “gypsy boy”, and two years in the past he received a 10-week ban for grabbing Wales lock Alun Wyn Jones’ genitals throughout a Six Nations recreation.

The disciplinary panel took Marler’s chequered records under consideration but additionally noted that he had apologised to Heenan. Speaking in advance of the listening to, Quins head instruct Tabai Matson said: “Clearly, he (Marler) is surely apologetic.

“He didn’t know the overall context of what he stated. What he said changed into wrong. He reached out to Jake and Jake answered and regular his apology and then that they had a great chat after that.

Joe Marler has received a two-week suspension following the conclusion of his disciplinary hearing earlier today.#COYQ

— Harlequins 🃏 (@Harlequins) December 30, 2022

Harlequins and England prop Joe Marler, who accepted a charge of conduct prejudicial to the game, made the remarks during the first half of Tuesday’s Gallagher Premiership match that reportedly related to Heenan’s mother.

The extra four-week suspension will be activated should the 32-year-old commit a similar offence before the end of the 2023-24 season, while he must also give a presentation to a local club or school, and to a Premiership academy, on the core values of the game.

“He has been apologetic to us as well. He is irritated that he has dragged the membership into this kerfuffle.”

Impressive Sale ran in five tries to beat Leicester 40-5 as interim head coach Richard Wigglesworth suffered his first defeat since taking over from Borthwick.

The Sharks bounced back in fine style following their surprise loss at Newcastle last time out, keeping the pressure firmly on Gallagher Premiership leaders Saracens.

Joe Marler’s ban means he will miss Premiership matches against Northampton and Sale.