Ashton banned amid 'concern' about tackling technique (From Enfield Independent)

Saracens winger Chris Ashton will miss England's autumn opener against Fiji after RFU Disciplinary Hearing

10:01am Thursday 1st November 2012 in Sport By Tom Allnutt

Saracens winger Chris Ashton will miss England's autumn series opener against Fiji following a Disciplinary Hearing in which the RFU said they were "concerned" about his "tackling technique".

The 25-year-old is banned for a week of action meaning he is sidelined from Sunday, November 4 to Saturday, November 10. 

The former Northampton player appeared before the panel of His Honour Judge Jeff Blackett, Jeremy Summers and Julian Morris after receiving three yellow cards for foul play this season.

The decisive third yellow was shown post-match for a dangerous tackle on Vasily Artemyev in last Saturday's Aviva Premiership match at Northampton Saints.

Earlier this season Ashton was shown yellow cards for dangerous charging in Saracens' matches against London Irish and Exeter Chiefs.

The ban cannot be served whilst the player is inactive.

Judge Blackett said: “We were guided by the IRB recommendation that a one week suspension was appropriate for totting up offences.

"The player was not released back to his club by England for Saracens' game on Sunday, November 4 so it would be inappropriate to commence the suspension immediately.

"We have therefore deferred commencement until Sunday, November 4 so he misses a game he would have played in.

"We are concerned about his tackling technique and encouraged that he and his coaches work to correct it.

"We would like to add that Chris Ashton took a realistic and mature approach to proceedings and expressed genuine contrition.”

Ashton is free to play again on Sunday, November 11.