England rugby star Manu Tuilagi was sent off for a brutal forearm to the face of an opponent in Sale Sharks' match against Northampton Saints.
The centre thrust his arm into the chin of Northampton winger Tommy Freeman inside the opening 15 minutes of the Gallagher Premiership clash as he carried the ball into contact. It left Freeman seemingly dazed as he dropped to his knees and needed medical treatment.
Tuilagi had been hoping to force his way back into the England side against Wales after being dropped for the opening Six Nations matches against Scotland and Italy. He now faces a significant ban for the blatant act of foul play.