England's Ewels gets three-week ban for Ryan tackle

England second row Charlie Ewels has been banned for three weeks after his red card in the opening minutes of their defeat to Ireland in the Gunness Six Nations on Saturday.

The Bath lock was sent off just 82 seconds into the contest at Twickenham, after making head contact with his opposite number James Ryan.

Ryan didn't return to the game, having been taken off for a HIA, and he has since been ruled out of this Saturday's finale against Scotland at the Aviva Stadium.

An independent judicial committee ruled that a number of mitigating factors enabled Ewels to avoid a longer ban based on World Rugby's regulations concerning contact with the head.

The ruling means Ewels will miss England’s next match against France on 19 March as well as Bath’s games against Sale and Worcester Warriors this month – although the final match may also be substituted if Ewels undertakes a coaching intervention programme.

In a statement, the panel said it had determined that "the act of foul play was reckless as a result of the player’s poor tackle technique", and noted that Ewels had admitted his tackle had been worthy of a red card.

The statement added: "The player never lowers, or attempts to lower, his body height before contact with the ball carrier resulting in a forceful clash of heads.

After just 82 seconds, England are down to 14 men. Charlie Ewels receives a red card for this challenge on James Ryan.