Chris Ashton handed four-week ban

Northampton winger Chris Ashton has been handed a four-week suspension by the Rugby Football Union.

The ban is in relation to an incident that took place during his side's defeat to Leicester Tigers on Saturday, where the England international appeared to drag Alesana Tuilagi off the pitch by his hair.

In a short statement, the RFU confirmed that the 24-year-old was guilty of "an act contrary to good sportsmanship".

He will now be unavailable for selection until Wednesday, January 4.