SARACENS WING CHRIS Ashton has been banned for 13 weeks for biting Northampton’s Alex Waller in a Premiership match.

29-year-old Ashton appeared before an RFU disciplinary committee yesterday evening after allegedly biting Waller on two separate occasions in last weekend’s fixture.

Having contested both allegations during a five-hour hearing, Ashton was cleared on the first count, but he has been suspended for 13 weeks after being found guilty of the second count.

The 39-times capped England international has been banned under law 10.4 (m), which relates to acts contrary to good sportsmanship. Ashton will be free to play again on 19 December.

“Having considered detailed evidence the panel concluded that during the course of a ruck Chris Ashton bit the arm of Alex Waller at a time that Mr Waller was attempting to clear him out,” said Philip Evans QC, chairman of the disciplinary panel.

The panel concluded it was a low-end entry point aggravated by his previous record.”

Ashton was banned for 10 weeks in January for putting his hand near the eye area of Ulster’s Luke Marshall.

The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!