Sale Sharks centre Manu Tuilagi suspended for four games

England and Sale Sharks centre Manu Tuilagi has been handed a four-week ban following his red card incident in Sale's recently concluded game against Northampton Saints.

Tuilagi was sent-off by referee Ian Tempest in the 14th minute of the game for a dangerous tackle on Tommy Freeman and went on to face a disciplinary hearing headed by judicial officer Jeremy Summers.

The England international was initially handed a six-week suspension but wasn't handed a full mitigation due to his red-card incident in the 2020 Six Nations for a dangerous tackle on George North.

Hence, he was handed a two-game mitigation reducing his suspension period to four matches which means he will miss Sale's games against Exeter Chiefs, Saracens, London Irish and Cardiff.

However, he could be available for the game against the Cardiff and also England's Six Nations game against Ireland if he successfully completes the World Rugby Coaching Intervention Programme.