England duo Owen Farrell and Joe Marler avoid lengthy bans and free to play in European finals and Australia tour
Grand Slam-winning duo Owen Farrell and Joe Marler will be available for their respective clubs’ European finals and England’s summer tour of Australia after escaping lengthy bans for foul play.
Saracens fly-half Farrell and Harlequins prop Marler were handed two-week bans after being cited during European semi-finals at the weekend, which means both will be free to play from 9 May.
Farrell was cited for a dangerous tackle on Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson during their European Champions Cup semi-final victory at the Madejeski Stadium on Saturday, while Marler was punished for kicking Grenoble hooker Arnaud Heguy in the Challenge Cup last-four tie the previous day.
The pair will miss the final two Premiership matches of the regular season but return in time for the European finals in Lyon. Saracens play Racing 92 on Saturday 14 May, while the previous evening Quins take on Montpellier.
England’s three-Test tour of Australia begins with a showdown in Brisbane on 11 June.