Chris Ashton in danger of ban after send-off during pre-season friendly

Chris Ashton and Sale Sharks will face an anxious wait on a disciplinary action after he was sent-off during a pre-season friendly game against Castres.

The incident happened on Friday when the 31-year-old and Rory Kockott was dismissed by referee Romain Poite following an altercation in the game that saw Sale Sharks defeat Castres 20-17.

Even though the game was friendly and played outside England, the RFU rules apply and hence the England international will have to wait for the decision from the board as he is set to relaunch his Premiership career after shifting from Toulon to Sale Sharks this season.

Ashton last played for England in 2014 and earlier conceded that his international career with the red rose team is well over but a series of good performances for Toulon and Barbarians saw him recalled by England coach Eddie Jones in a training camp for the autumn internationals after he signed a contract with Sale Sharks.

Sale Sharks will begin their Gallagher Premiership season against Harlequins at Twickenham Stoop on 1st September.