George Earle suspended for eight weeks

Cardiff Blues second-row George Earle has been banned for eight weeks after being sent off against Bath in the Challenge Cup for making contact with the eyes of Tom Ellis.
The incident occurred in the 44^th minute of the game at a driving maul and Earle was shown a red card from match referee Alexandre Ruiz.
Earle, who will be free to play on February 13, pleaded not guilty to an independent disciplinary committee but they disagreed and sanctioned a 12-week ban as the appropriate entry point for an offence contrary to good sportsmanship.
A further week was then added in accordance with World Rugby’s memorandum on contact with the eye area however the committee then took into account Earle’s clean disciplinary record and his apology to Ellis following the match and decided to reduce the sanction by five weeks before imposing an eight-week suspension.