Luke Marshall handed five week ban for alleged kick

Ulster centre Luke Marshall has been suspended for five weeks for an alleged kick to the head of an opponent during the second half of the Guinness Pro12 match between Ulster and Scarlets on last Friday.

Ulster number eight Roger Wilson picked up a one-match ban from an incident from the same match, with the committee deeming his citing for striking "to be reckless rather than intentional".

The two Irish internationals appeared on Thursday morning before an independent Pro12 Rugby Disciplinary Committee.

In a statement from the Pro12 released along with Marshall’s ban it was revealed the player was spared an eight week lay-off due to his excellent disciplinary record.

"The Disciplinary Committee, chaired by Pamela Woodman, sitting with Bill Dunlop and Roddy Dunlop (all Scotland), listened to representations by and on behalf of the player, and viewed TV footage of the incident, found that Luke Marshall had committed an act of foul play which would have warranted a red card and considered it to be at the mid-range of World Rugby's sanctions for this type of offence, which carries an entry-point of eight weeks.

“The Committee found that there were no aggravating factors, and after taking into account various mitigating factors including the player’s unblemished playing record, the Committee reduced the entry point by three weeks and imposed a five week suspension. The player is suspended from playing until midnight on Sunday 12th April 2015, taking into account one “down” week and has the right of appeal.”

Wilson’s incident was also deemed to have been a red card offence by the Disciplinary Committee, but decided to take a week off the minimum sanction. The backrow forward will miss Sunday’s trip to play the Dragons at Rodney Parade.