England loosehead prop Joe Marler has been banned for six weeks, with four of thoses suspended, following his 'inappropriate' comments playing for Harlequins against Bristol Bears on Tuesday.
Marler sparked a fracas at a scrum in the first half of Bristol's 15-12 win at the Twickenham Stoop in Round 13 when his comments to Bears flanker Jake Heenan, reported to be about his ill mother, incensed the New Zealand flanker.
Marler was cited after the match and a disciplinary hearing, chaired by Gareth Graham sitting with Becky Essex and Leon Lloyd heard the case this afternoon.
