(Photo: Getty Images)
By Adam Ellis
Kyle Eastmond has been handed a six-week ban after being cited for two separate dangerous tackles in Wasps' 44-22 win at Harlequins last weekend.
The centre was sent off by referee Wayne Barnes for a high hit on ‘Quins fly-half Marcus Smith in the 17th minute of the match, triggering confrontation between the two sides.
Eastmond was additionally cited for a tackle just two minutes before being sent off on Ross Chisholm, with the England international pleading guilty to both citings.
Independent disciplinary panel chairman Sean Enright said: “The panel determined that each individual offence merited a mid-range entry point of six weeks.
“Thereafter the player was entitled to full 50 per cent mitigation on account of his guilty plea, clear record and remorse for both incidents.
“This reduced the sanction on each charge to three weeks. The panel determined that these periods should run consecutively meaning a total ban of six weeks.
“We were satisfied that the running of the sanctions consecutively was proportionate to the level of overall offending to all of the circumstances.”
A six-week ban means Eastmond will miss all but two of Wasps remaining Aviva Premiership fixtures, including away trips to play-off chasing Gloucester and Sale Sharks.
The 28-year-old will be eligible to play again on 17 April.
Kyle Eastmond has been given a six-week suspension after this hit on Marcus Smith. pic.twitter.com/5iUrDiJf0j
— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) February 13, 2018
