Alec Hepburn has been suspended for three games following his red card just before half time on Saturday in Exeter's 14-12 defeat to Harlequins at the Twickenham Stoop in the Gallagher Premiership.
The six-cap England forward was dismissed by referee Ian Tempest for a tip tackle on Joe Marler, contrary World Rugby Law 9.18.
Panel chair, Charles Cuthbert said: “The player accepted that he had committed an act of foul play and that the act merited the award of a red card.
"The panel agreed with the submissions of both the club and the RFU that the appropriate entry point was low end.
"Allowing 50% mitigation on the basis of his acceptance of the charge, his clean record and his engagement with the process, the panel imposed a 3-week suspension which means the player is free to play on February 1.”
Alec Hepburn will miss the following games:
15.01 Exeter Chiefs v Glasgow (EPCR)
23.01 Montpellier v Exeter Chiefs (EPCR)
29.01 London Irish v Exeter Chiefs (Gallagher Premiership)
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“Would knock ****ing s**t outta ya!” – Joe Marler picks his dream team
FRONT-ROW
1. Tony Woodcock (New Zealand)
2. Rory Best (Ireland)
3. Carl Hayman (New Zealand)
2. Rory Best (Ireland)
3. Carl Hayman (New Zealand)
SECOND-ROW
4. Alun Wyn Jones (Wales)
5. Paul O'Connell (Ireland)
5. Paul O'Connell (Ireland)
BACK-ROW
6. Jerome Kaino (New Zealand)
7. Justin Tipuric (Wales)
8. Kieran Read (New Zealand)
7. Justin Tipuric (Wales)
8. Kieran Read (New Zealand)
HALFBACKS
9. Will Genia (Australia)
10. Dan Carter (New Zealand)
10. Dan Carter (New Zealand)
CENTRES:
12. Ma'a Nonu (New Zealand)
13. Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland)
13. Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland)
BACK-THREE:
11. Siteveni Sivivatu (New Zealand)
14. Josua Tuisova (Fiji)
15. Israel Folau (Australia)
15. Israel Folau (Australia)
On selecting Folau as his fullback, Marler commented, "On the night out, after we had played our match on the Saturday, I'd take him out in Brighton to The Blue Oyster... a couple of clubs."
