Calum Clark handed three-week ban

Northampton Saints flanker Calum Clark has been handed a three-week ban by the Rugby Football Union (RFU) disciplinary panel.

The sanction comes after he pleaded guilty on striking Worcester lock Donncha O'Callaghan with the elbow in the first half of their recent Aviva Premiership encounter at Sixways on 18th November.

A statement from RFU disciplinary panel stated that the Clark had made an "intentional strike on the opponent".

"The panel found this was not a premeditated act but an intentional strike to the head of an opponent that merited a mid-range entry point of three weeks.

"The player's remorse before the panel was genuine and heartfelt."

Northampton Saints are placed sixth in the table after securing 19 points from eight matches.