Harlequins will be without Springbok centre Andre Esterhuizen for the remainder of the regular Premiership season and a possible play-off after he was banned for six weeks for striking with the elbow in the win over London Irish at the weekend.
Esterhuizen will miss Harlequins’ last five matches in the league stage of the season as they chase a play-off berth having received his second red card of the season.
Quins sit fourth, four points ahead of Northampton, and on course for a shot at the title. If they were to make a semi-final, Esterhuizen would remain banned.
A three-strong disciplinary panel made up of Jeremy Summers (chair), Rob Vickerman and Becky Essex decided referee Matthew Carley had made the correct decision when sending him off in the second half for elbowing Irish centre Curtis Rona in a melee involving other players.
Esterhuizen said it was not intentional, and has the right to appeal.
He will be missed by Quins as his powerful style has been a valuable midfield asset outside Marcus Smith and alongside Joe Marchant. On that runs of games, Quins face rivals for a play-off spot Sale Sharks.
Bath and England prop Beno Obano was banned for five matches, including their Challenge Cup semi-final against Montpellier this weekend, for a dangerous tackle against Wasps.
