England prop Joe Marler banned for "gypsy boy" slur

England and Harlequins prop Joe Marler has been banned for two games and fined £20,000 by World Rugby for his "gypsy boy" slur towards Wales forward Samson Lee.

Marler, 25, had avoided any sanction from Six Nations and the Rugby Football Union following the March 12 incident at Twickenham, but World Rugby launched independent action after reviewing footage.

"The charge was admitted in its entirety by Marler and upheld by the independent judicial panel comprising Terry Willis (chair, Australia), Jean-Noel Couraud (France) and Alan Hudson (Canada)," read a World Rugby statement.

Marler took to Twitter last night, apologising to "anyone who was offended" and saying that he would accept the World Rugby ruling.