Thursday 18 January 2018 00:01, UK
James Haskell will miss England's first two Six Nations games after receiving a four-week ban for a dangerous tackle.
The Wasps flanker was sent off in his side's European Champions Cup defeat against Harlequins on Saturday after a high tackle on Jamie Roberts.
In a statement, EPCR said: "The committee upheld the red card decision, and as the tackle made contact with the head of the opposing player, it was obliged to find that the offence was at the mid-range of World Rugby's sanctions and six weeks was therefore selected as the appropriate entry point.
"Taking into account the player's good disciplinary record, his guilty plea and early expression of remorse, the committee decided to reduce the sanction by two weeks before imposing a suspension of four weeks.
"Haskell is free to play on Monday 12 February 2018, and both he and EPCR have the right to appeal the decision."
Eddie Jones is set to announce his England squad ahead of their defence of the Six Nations on Thursday, with their opening game coming against Italy on February 4.
As well as missing the trip to Italy, Haskell would not be available for selection for England's crucial game against Wales at Twickenham on February 10.
Haskell was left out of Jones' squad for the November internationals against Argentina, Australia and Samoa with the Australian saying he was "not playing well enough" to be involved.
France centre Mathieu Bastareaud received a three-week ban after he made a homophobic comment during Toulon's win over Italian side Benetton Treviso on Sunday and will miss France's opening game of the tournament.
