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Billy Stickland/INPHO

Letter of rugby laws would see Marler hit with a minimum 12-week ban

Alun Wyn Jones bemoaned the lack of action on the incident from officials.

JOE MARLER QUICKLY went viral during the first-half of England’s Six Nations win over Wales, earning acclaim from some, derision from most.

However, Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones was left immensely frustrated as officials took no action when the England prop purposefully grabbed the second row’s genitals.

The England prop will likely face a date with the disciplinary panel next week as World Rugby’s lawbook already has measures in place to ward against such incidents. 

In the foul play section, a provision of Law 9.27  (which covers sportsmanship) includes the line: (A player must not) ‘grab, twist or squeeze the genitals’.

The low-end sanction for such an offence is 12 weeks, mid-range is 18 weeks and the top end entry point is 24 weeks.

That is the same punishment scale as intentional contact with the eye.

“There’s all the footage that’s been shown obviously,” Jones said post-match.

A lot of supporters saw what happened. It’s just very frustrating the fact we talk a lot about TMOs and footage review, there doesn’t seem a lot of that happening.” 

When the issue was initially put to him, the Wales captain said:

 “What would you do in that situation? 138 Tests for my country. If I react, I get a red card. It’s tough, isn’t it? Hopefully, World Rugby have a look at it. Joe’s a good bloke. Lots of things happen on a rugby field. My question is, it’s difficult as a captain these days because you can’t speak to a ref about anything it feels.”

Manu Tuilagi will certainly face a disciplinary panel this week after his late red card, but the guideline sanctions for dangerous tackles like the one he connected with George North’s head on are lower with a two-week entry point at the low end, six weeks in the mid-range and a top end entry point of 10 weeks.

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    Mute Noel Doherty
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    Mar 9th 2020, 1:22 PM

    but I’m still heading over……

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    Mute Cortiss
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    Mar 9th 2020, 1:31 PM

    @Noel Doherty: wouldn’t want to mess with you Noel, not even the hardest Noel on the platform

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    Mute Con Cussed
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    Mar 9th 2020, 1:32 PM

    @Noel Doherty: But how might you be heading back?

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    Mute Noel Doherty
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    Mar 9th 2020, 1:46 PM

    @Cortiss: not possible I’m the hardest, hardiest hard man around so I am

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    Mute Chris Mc
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    Mar 9th 2020, 2:06 PM

    Funny that might be end of six nation road for one or two players in the squad.

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    Mute Robb Stark
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    Mar 9th 2020, 2:10 PM

    Over 3,000 people have died worldwide due to this deadly virus.

    Farrell moaning over a postponed match – and claiming that the players are “gutted” – is disappointing. “Gutted” is losing a relative to Covid-19.

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    Mute Robbie Graham
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    Mar 9th 2020, 3:10 PM

    @Robb Stark: Mate… it’s not. Gutted is a synonym for being disappointed and so in this case is appropriate. All he said was that he was disappointed to hear of the postponement but also says that “you can only do the right thing”. Gutted but what can ya do?

    No to be a semantic fool but you’re reading too much in it. He’s well aware of what the priority.

    I’d certainly be more than “gutted” if I lost a family member.

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    Mute Harry O'Callaghan
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    Mar 9th 2020, 6:22 PM

    @Robb Stark: calm your tits Robb

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    Mute Cortiss
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    Mar 9th 2020, 1:31 PM

    Hopefully the champions cup games are called off too, I think divide out the tournament prize pool among the teams that qualified for the quarter finals, and have no winner. Health has to come first, (p.s, not just because I’m a Munster fan)

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    Mute Declan Keane
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    Mar 9th 2020, 1:38 PM

    @Cortiss: more likely that they award the cup to the team that finished higher in group stages, ie Leinster

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    Mute Chris Mc
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    Mar 9th 2020, 2:05 PM

    @Cortiss: would you be in favour of giving it to the top quallifed team after the league stages?

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    Mute baw baw
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    Mar 9th 2020, 3:06 PM

    Might be able to get a fit and firing 10 together by October.. Or at worst patch up carbery and have him available.. Eitherways his fly half stocks should be thickened out which can only be a good thing

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    Mute Niall James Fergal McCormack
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    Mar 9th 2020, 4:15 PM

    @baw baw: Jim demps

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    Mute Harry O'Callaghan
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    Mar 9th 2020, 6:24 PM

    @baw baw: face palm

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