Will Greenwood thinks World Rugby was right to ban Joe Marler for using inappropriate language towards Samson Lee, because it protects the image of the sport.
England prop Marler was suspended for two matches by a three-man independent judicial committee following a hearing in London on Tuesday.
He was also fined £20,000 - to be paid to a suitable equality charity - after a misconduct charge against him was upheld following his comments made at Wales prop Lee during the Six Nations game at Twickenham on March 12.
The 25-year-old, who said sorry to Lee at half-time in the match before issuing another apology on Monday ahead of the hearing, had avoided any sanction from Six Nations chiefs and the Rugby Football Union.
However, World Rugby launched independent action and Greenwood has backed its decision.
The Sky Sports pundit told Sky Sports News HQ: "What we have to be absolutely clear on with the language, that whilst it might have been heat of the moment, there is no place for it.
"I know that Joe Marler apologised immediately and will be disappointed that he's got this ban, but I think that in the grand scheme of how rugby needs to grow, and how it needs to be seen in the wider context of public opinion, we need to be strong on that language."