England’s Marler free to play France

England prop Joe Marler has been cleared to play France in the Six Nations on Saturday after escaping sanctions for striking and verbal abuse.

A disciplinary committee on Wednesday found that he did hit Wales prop Rob Evans early in the game on Saturday but decided not to ban him.

“The disciplinary committee found that the offending would not have warranted a red card and so imposed no sanction,” it said in a statement.

Marler later cleared another disciplinary hurdle when he avoided a suspension for calling Wales prop Samson Lee “gypsy boy” in the same game.

The 25-year-old apologised to Lee who accepted that the comment was banter.

England coach Eddie Jones and Wales counterpart Warren Gatland have been criticised for using the same word to describe Marler’s comments.

Gatland has since apologised.

England clinched the Six Nations when France lost to Scotland on Sunday and they are seeking to complete a first grand slam since 2003 in Paris.

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