England flanker Lewis Ludlow handed four-match suspension

England international Lewis Ludlow has been handed a four-game suspension following an offence in the recently concluded fixture against at Twickenham Stadium.

The 26-year-old was sin-binned in the 30th minute during the game last weekend for striking Canada's Jake Ilnicki with the knee and was cited by the citing commissioner following the match.

Ludlow, who also captained England in the game faced an independent disciplinary hearing on Thursday and accepted guilty to the charges.

"Lewis Ludlow has been suspended by an independent disciplinary committee for four matches for an act of foul play during England's match against Canada last weekend," read World Rugby's statement.

Ludlow will miss Gloucester's back to back matches against Ealing along with games against Hartpury and Northampton.

His ban could be reduced to three weeks provided Ludlow successfully completes World Rugby's head contact process coaching intervention programme.

England had a successful summer series campaign with 43-29 and 70-14 wins over the USA and Canada respectively.