Joe Marler misses cup clash after picking up ban
Joe Marler is out of Harlequins' Amlin Challenge Cup quarter-final clash with Wasps on Friday night after being banned for punching Leicester's Marcos Ayerza.
The England Saxons prop clashed with Ayerza after the Argentine appeared to headbutt Marler in Saturday's Premiership clash at The Stoop and the pair have both landed two-week suspensions.
RFU disciplinary panel chairman Jeff Blackett said: "This was unacceptable behaviour which was captured on live television and not something we want to see in our game.
"That said, both offences were deemed to have a low end entry point for sanction.
"The starting point for Ayerza striking with the head was four weeks, reduced to two for his guilty plea and relatively good record. Marler's sanction did not alter from the two-week entry point because, despite his guilty plea, his previous disciplinary record counted against him."
Quins will turn to veteran prop Ceri Jones, who is joining Worcester at the end of the season, and he must help nullify a Wasps side desperate to revive their season. The winner will face an away trip to either Brive or Munster in the last four.
