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Rugby

20th Jan 2016

English rugby fans target Luke Marshall after Chris Ashton’s 10-week ban

The victim

Patrick McCarry

Ulsterman is the convenient fall guy.

Let’s get this out here at the start – Luke Marshall was hauled to the ground by his face in a rash tackle by Chris Ashton.

This afternoon, Ashton was hit with a 10-week ban for ‘making contact with the eye area’ of Marshall. Cynics would call it a gouge but, if anything, it was pure recklessness from Ashton.

While attempting to prevent a choke tackle on his Saracens teammate, Ashton grabbed a scruff of Marshall and got to work. We’re sure it was never his intention to rake Marshall’s eyes but that is what he did.

Luke Marshall Chris Ashton

The ban means Ashton will now miss the entire Six Nations, including a February 27 clash with Ireland at Twickenham.

There was a mixed reaction to the ban on Twitter:

Panto villain

https://twitter.com/CormStarling/status/689814227469598720

Outrage from old pros

Sympathy from an Ulsterman

Justice served

https://twitter.com/ERuckerThompson/status/689812392683966465

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