Leicester Tigers lock Will Spencer handed four-week ban

Leicester Tigers lock Will Spencer has been handed a four-week ban following his red-card incident in the recently concluded Gallagher Premiership encounter against Wasps at Ricoh Arena last weekend.

The 26-year-old was sent-off just before half-time by referee Ian Tempest for a dangerous tackle on Wasps' Tommy Taylor and appeared before an independent disciplinary panel on Tuesday.

Following a lengthy hearing the panel chaired by Euan Ambrose declared Spencer guilty of breach of law 9.13 and upheld the charges.

"The panel found on the balance of probabilities that this was a reckless tackle that resulted in direct, forceful contact to the head of Tommy Taylor," said Panel chair Euan Ambrose.

"The panel rejected the player's evidence that any contact with the opposition player had been limited to the top of his shoulder with no contact being made to his head."

Earlier, last year World Rugby had announced redefined laws related to both reckless and accidental tackles over shoulder as an initiative to reduce head injuries.

Spencer's ban will come to an end on 15th October.

Leicester Tigers are positioned seventh in the Gallagher Premiership with a solitary win from three games.