Sale wing Denny Solomona has been banned for four weeks by an RFU panel for a homophobic slur used in a game against Worcester last month.
Despite arguing the charge, the Union saw fit to slap the 24-year-old with a six week ban, which was later reduced to four weeks when taking into account his previous record and conduct at the hearing.
With the ban to last till May 8, it will end his season, barring a late playoff push from the seventh-placed Sharks.
Microphones picked up Worcester fly-half Jamie Shillcock enquiring as to the utterance, which according to BBC Sport, is said to be of a similar vein to that which gained French international Mathieu Bastareaud a suspension in January.
Solomona has been capped on two occasions at Test level for England, but was sent home from a training camp in summer 2017, for what was understood to be alcohol-related problems.
He was recalled for England’s Six Nations match with France, but was unused in the game.
