Ellis Genge picks up ban but free to play in England’s World Cup warmups

Ellis Genge has received a three-week ban after being cited for a dangerous tackle during Bristol’s Gallagher Premiership defeat against Sale. The England prop, who accepted the charge, will see the suspension reduced by a week if he completes World Rugby’s coaching intervention programme.

The England prop will be unavailable for Bristol’s remaining two Premiership games of the season – against Exeter on Saturday and Gloucester on 6 May – but his involvement in England’s August World Cup warmup fixtures is set to be unaffected.

Genge’s tackle on Sale’s Tom Curry saw him shown a yellow card by referee Luke Pearce, but he was then cited and the case was heard by an independent disciplinary panel.

The chair, Matthew Weaver KC, said: “Ellis Genge accepted the charge of dangerously tackling Tom Curry, contrary to World Rugby law 9.13, prior to the hearing and, as such, the panel needed to consider only the appropriate sanction.

“Having considered the incident, including viewing footage of it both in real time and in slow motion, and it being confirmed that Curry had suffered no significant injury, the panel were content that the appropriate entry point was the mandatory minimum of mid-range, being a six-week suspension from playing.

“In light of his acceptance of the charge at the earliest opportunity, his apology to Curry and his previously good disciplinary record over a long career of over 150 top-level matches and 40 international matches, the panel were content to mitigate the suspension by the maximum 50%, reducing the suspension to a three-week suspension.

“Genge has confirmed his intention to participate in the World Rugby coaching intervention programme which, if he is confirmed as eligible and conditional upon him