Chris Ashton ban: England wing has appeal against 10-week suspension rejected and will miss entire Six Nations

Ashton was found guilty of making contact with the eyes of Ulster centre Luke Marshall during last month's European Champions Cup encounter with Saracens

Saracens have appealed Chris Ashton's 10-week ban for eye-gouging (Getty Images)

Chris Ashton will miss the entire Six Nations championship after his appeal against a 10-week ban for eye-gouging was rejected by an independent appeal committee, European Professional Club Rugby has announced.

The Saracens wing was recalled to the England squad by new head coach Eddie Jones when he named his 33-man squad for the Six Nations. But the 28-year-old was cited for making contact with the face of Ulster centre Luke Marshall during Saracens’ 33-17 victory at Allianz Park last month, and he was subsequently banned after he was found guilty of eye-gouging the Ireland international.

Saracens confirmed their intention to appeal Ashton’s sanction, which was initially a 13-week ban that was reduced by three weeks “due to Ashton’s good character and good conduct at the hearing”, although an additional week was added in an effort to highlight the severity of the offence.

Ashton pleaded not guilty at the hearing, and his and Saracens’ legal team argued that the contact with Marshall’s face was accidental and unintended.

A statement said: "An independent appeal committee has today (Thursday) announced its decision not to allow an appeal by the Saracens player, Chris Ashton, against the 10-week suspension imposed on him as a result of a citing complaint arising from his club's European Rugby Champions Cup round five match against Ulster Rugby on Saturday, January 16.

"Ashton's suspension therefore remains in place, and he is free to play on Monday, 28 March, 2016.

"The appeal committee consisting of Lorne Crerar (Scotland), chairman, Rod McKenzie (Scotland) and Roger Morris (Wales), heard the player's appeal in London yesterday before adjourning to give the matter further consideration.

"At last month's disciplinary hearing, the independent judicial officer, Jean-Noel Couraud (France), found that Ashton had committed an act of foul play that warranted a red card in that the player had made contact with the eye(s) and/or eye area of the Ulster Rugby centre, Luke Marshall, during the match at Allianz Park in contravention of Law 10.4 (m)."

Having been dropped by Stuart Lancaster in 2014 following the tour of New Zealand, Ashton was left out of the Rugby World Cup squad, but his impressive form for Saracens over the past 18 months led to his return in the England set-up.

However, with the former Northampton Saints back now ruled out of the entire tournament, Jones will see one of his options out wide unavailable for selection. Jones today announced his squad for the opening Six Nations encounter against Scotland with Jack Nowell and Anthony Watson named on the wing, while Semesa Rokoduguni and Marland Yarde are the others in contention for the championship – although they have returned to Bath and Harlequins respectively afer being overlooked by Jones.

Ashton admitted that he was "incredibly disappointed" and reiterated his claim that he did not intentionally try to make contact with Marshall's eyes.

"I am incredibly disappointed with today's decision, but I now plan to look ahead to the rest of the season and work as hard as I can during my ban," Ashton said in a statement released by Saracens.

"I would like to thank Saracens and my legal team for all their hard work and support throughout this.

"I vehemently maintain that I have never made an attempt to intentionally make contact with the eye area of any other player.

"To miss out on the chance to represent my country and Saracens during this period is extremely disappointing, but the judgement stands and it is one that I will respect and accept."