Saracens wing Chris Ashton will appeal against his 10-week suspension for making contact with the eye of Ulster centre Luke Marshall.
The incident occurred during the first half of Sarries' 33-17 Champions Cup victory over the Irish province at Allianz Park on January 16.
The 28-year-old England international pulled Marshall to the ground with his left arm while grabbing his opponent's face with his right hand and he was cited for making contact with the eye area.
Ashton pleaded not guilty to the offence, but he was found guilty following an independent disciplinary hearing in London last Wednesday and handed the 10-week ban which rules him out of the entire Six Nations.
Saracens received the hearing's written judgement on Friday afternoon and, having consulted their legal team, they have opted to contest the severity of Ashton's punishment.
"Ashton, who pleaded not guilty in the independent disciplinary hearing in London last Wednesday, will be appealing against the level of the sanction imposed," read a statement from the Premiership champions.
In the written judgement, it was revealed that judicial officer Jean Noel Couraud viewed the tackle as a red card offence that exposed Marshall to the risk of serious injury.
Ashton's legal team argued that the contact with Marshall's face was entirely accidental and unintended, but Couraud rejected this defence in the belief he had acted recklessly.
Ashton's legal team believes the entry-level sanction for the offence of 12 weeks would be "wholly disproportionate" for reasons including his good record and the lack of injury inflicted and requested that any suspension to be reduced by a minimum of 50 per cent.
The judicial officer, however, noted the need for a deterrent to combat this type of offence.
New England head coach Eddie Jones had recalled Ashton to his Elite Player Squad before he received the suspension and he has since drafted in Bath wing Semesa Rokoduguni as cover.
Ashton, who has spent the previous 18 months in international exile, had been earmarked to start on the right wing against Scotland at Murrayfield on February 6.