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.
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
@thepaulwilliams @gallagherbren agree. Will @lukemarshall121 appear in panto soon. I fear 'playing the ref' is taking on a different meaning
— Dickie Jev 💙 (@DickieJev) January 20, 2016
https://twitter.com/CormStarling/status/689814227469598720
#chrisashton 10 week ban for clumsy pull at the head on #lukemarshall who got 5 weeks for kicking a player in the head last year
— Peter Keane (@Keane1Peter) January 20, 2016
Outrage from old pros
Can't believe @ChrisAshton1 has been given a 10 week ban!! What has the game come to???#shockingdecision
— Jason Robinson (@Jason15Robinson) January 20, 2016
10 weeks for Ashton? For that? What a shocker. I'm no referee l, thankfully, but I wouldn't even give that a yellow.
— David Flatman (@davidflatman) January 20, 2016
Sympathy from an Ulsterman
@Sonjamclaughlan as an Ulsterman it's a ridiculous ban. No idea who makes these ludicrous decisions nor the thought behind them sometimes.
— JK (@jkk_ijk) January 20, 2016
Justice served
Chris Ashton is such an idiot. Get your first call-up for England in god knows how long and then decides to fiddle with someone's eyeball.
— Matt Jenner (@mattjenner94) January 20, 2016
https://twitter.com/ERuckerThompson/status/689812392683966465
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