Joe Marler reprimanded for on-field tussle with James Haskell

Joe Marler has been reprimanded by the citing commissioner for goading James Haskell during the recent Aviva Premiership clash between Wasps and Harlequins at Ricoh Arena on Sunday.

Wasps flanker Haskell was left incensed at his yellow card for throttling England team-mate Joe Marler off the ball, after tussling with the Quins prop on the ground. Haskell insisted Marler had choked him with the strap of his scrum cap, before squirting him in the face with water.

Even though Marler was not punished that time, the Rugby Football Union has confirmed that the 27-year-old has been hit with the off-field equivalent of a yellow card following the game which the Quins won 21-24.

Three such warnings in a season from the citing commissioner will lead to a one-match suspension.

Earlier, Wasps rugby director Dai Young slammed the referee's decision to leave Marler unpunished as the England prop provoked Haskell in the fiercely competed encounter.

"What you want from referees is consistency and I've got to be honest I thought he was consistent - he gave us nothing all game and that's all you can ask for really.

"I think if someone rips your hat off then squirts water in your face, what do you expect? I just thought it was very harsh on James Haskell.

"There comes a time when you've got to look at the guys that spark these things up, not somebody that's going to take exception to someone ripping their hat off and squirting water in their face."

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