Bristol Bears and England prop Kyle Sinckler is to miss the start of the Six Nations after being banned for two weeks from rugby for swearing at a referee.
Sinckler has been banned from playing rugby until Feb. 9 which would rule him out of England’s opening game against Scotland on Feb. 6.
England coach Eddie Jones has yet to announce his squad for the Six Nations but Sinckler has been a regular feature under Jones.
Sinckler will also miss Bristol Bears’ Gallagher Premiership games against Bath on Jan. 29 and Feb. 5.
The independent disciplinary panel found that he had failed to respect the authority of the match official when he cursed at him during his side’s game against Exeter Chiefs on Jan. 9.
Sinckler appealed the decision but he as unsuccessful.
“Kyle Sinckler accepted that he used foul language at the Referee, he did not accept the conduct warranted a red card,” the panel said in a statement.
“The player was candid in is evidence as to why he had done so and regretted his actions. The panel found that his actions disrespected the authority of the referee it was in breach of a core value of rugby — respect of match officials — and warranted a red card.”
Sinckler was banned for seven weeks in 2017 for gouging Northampton’s Michael Paterson’s eye which ruled him out of the Autumn Series.