Harlequins fullback Mike Brown loses appeal against six-week ban

Mike Brown's career with Harlequins has come to an end after losing the appeal against a six-week ban for stamping.

The 35-year-old was sent off by referee Wayne Barnes for using a boot to the face of Wasps hooker Tommy Taylor in the 43rd minute during their 18th round clash in the Gallagher Premiership at Twickenham Stoop.

Brown faced an independent disciplinary hearing and was initially handed a 12-week ban but was reduced by half taking into account the guilty plea, conduct during hearing and other mitigating factors.

With Harlequins set to make to the play-offs and Brown moving to rivals Newcastle Falcons at the end of the ongoing season, the England international was hoping to finish the ongoing season on a high and went on to appeal against the decision but the panel comprising of Matthew Weaver (chair), Rob Vickerman and Mitch Read dismissed the case.

"The appeal was dismissed," read the Rugby Football Union statement from the panel.

"The appeal panel did not accept the submissions that the disciplinary panel had come to a decision to which no reasonable body could have come, particularly bearing in mind that the burden is on the player to establish on the balance of probabilities that no reasonable disciplinary panel could have come to the same conclusion.

"The original sanction stands."

Harlequins are positioned fourth in the Gallagher Premiership table with 11 wins from 19 games.