Exeter's Patricia Garcia handed five-week ban

Exeter Chiefs Women back Patricia García Rodriguez has been handed a five-week ban following her red-card incident against Bristol Bears at Shaftesbury Park.

Garcia was sent-off at the start of the second half by referee Nikki O'Donnell for a tip tackle as a breach of World Rugby Law 9.18 and appeared before a three-person independent panel comprising of Richard Whittam QC (chair) with Becky Essex and Leon Lloyd.

The panel deemed her act warranted a red-card and was handed a six-week ban which is the sanction for low-range offence but due to her disciplinary offence last year and the denial of the charge the ban was reduced by only by a week.

Despite her absence, Exeter went on to register a 31-27 win - their fourth from nine games that has taken them to the fifth position in the Allianz Premier 15s table.