Saracens ' Ashton banned for 13 weeks for biting

English rugby Premiership outfit Saracens will decide on Thursday whether to appeal against a 13-week ban given to their winger Chris Ashton. 

Chris Ashton was banned for 10 weeks in January for dangerous play. AFP/Justin Tallis

The 29-year-old was charged with two offrences of biting during Saracens' match on 24 September against Northampton.

Ashton, who has 39 caps for England, denied both counts. However a disciplinary panel chaired by Philip Evans QC found him guilty of biting Alex Waller on the arm in the 24th minute of Saracens' 27-12 win.

The hearing rejected another charge that Ashton bit Waller again one minute later.

"Having considered detailed evidence the panel concluded that during the course of a ruck Chris Ashton bit the arm of Alex Waller," said Evans in a statement released by the Rugby Football Union.

"The panel concluded it was a low-end entry point aggravated by his previous record," Evans added.

Ashton received a 10-week ban last season for making contact with the eye area of the Ulster back Luke Marshall in a European Champions Cup game.

Saracens will receive a full written judgment from the disciplinary panel on Thursday. The top brass at the club will then have 24 hours to decide whether to appeal against the decision.

If they accept the ban, Ashton, who will be eligible to play from 19 December, will miss nine Premiership games and four matches in the European Champions cup.

He will also be out of contention for the England internationals against South Africa, Fiji, Argentina and Australia in November and December.