Jordan Onojaife, a second row for Bedford Blues, was given a 15-week ban by the RFU for biting Ealing’s Carlo Tizzano during a December match.
The incident occurred during a melee in the closing stages of the game and Onojaife was initially given a yellow card.
However, the RFU upheld a charge of “physical abuse” against Onojaife under World Rugby regulations, resulting in a 15-week ban for the 85-time Bedford Blues player, who will miss all but one of the team’s remaining games.
Five rugby players who were banned for biting an opponent
Here are five other examples of famous bites in rugby union.
#1. Dylan Hartley
In the final game of the 2012 6 Nations Championship between Ireland and England, the hooker bit down on the finger of flanker Stephen Ferris. Hartley had received a lengthy ban for gouging in 2007 (some 26 weeks) but was only handed a 8-week break in 2012, meaning that he was clear to tour in the summer with England, despite missing Northampton’s end of season charge.