World Rugby to investigate Joe Marler comments

England prop Joe Marler will face an independent misconduct hearing for verbally abusing Wales counterpart Samson Lee, World Rugby have confirmed.

Marler was not punished by the Six Nations after calling Lee "gypsy boy" during England's 25-21 victory at Twickenham on 12th March.

World Rugby, however, have decided action should have been taken and have acted accordingly.

"World Rugby has confirmed that England's Joe Marler will face an independent World Rugby misconduct hearing for comments made towards Wales' Samson Lee during the RBS 6 Nations match at Twickenham on March 12," their statement read.

"World Rugby is of the view that the comments amount to misconduct and/or a breach of the code of conduct under World Rugby Regulation 20 and should have been considered by an independent process.

"In the absence of such a process by Six Nations Rugby, World Rugby is exercising its right to take appropriate action before an independent judicial committee.

"The RFU (the player's union) and Six Nations Rugby have been informed and the case will be heard by an independent judicial committee as soon as practically possible. Details will be announced in due course and the player is free to continue playing in the interim."

Marler apologised to Lee for making the insult at half-time of the match and he was reprimanded by England coach Eddie Jones but the decision not to sanction him was met with an outcry, the Welsh Rugby Union stating: "We stand by our belief that there is no place for the use of racist language in sport.''

World Rugby have now stepped in and Marler could face a suspension if he is found guilty.

Verbal abuse of a player based on religion, race, colour, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation or otherwise carries a minimum four-week ban.

Conor O'Shea, Marler's boss at Harlequins, has defended his player, denying he is in any way racist.

"He is not in any way shape or form racist," O'Shea said. "He is an edgy person, he made a mistake, and he apologised.

"Does he know that he has got a responsibility? Of course he does. Do we accept it? Of course we don't, but some of the vitriol that has been directed to him is tough for a 25-year old to take and he has to take it on the chin.

"I am not going to talk about political correctness, I am not going to talk about banter. He knows he shouldn't have said it. He apologised at half-time, he knew it was wrong.

"I had a good sit-down with him (on Tuesday). You couldn't get anything further from a bloke that is racist going."

"Joe Marler is a bloody great bloke and I made him captain here for a reason. He is actually in great form because he knows that the people who know him, know how things are and the two players involved have gone 'it's done'."