Will Spencer has been handed a four-week suspension after appearing before an independent disciplinary panel on Tuesday evening.

Leicester Tigers lock Spencer was shown a red card by referee Ian Tempest in the 40th minute of Sunday’s match against Wasps for a dangerous tackle on Tommy Taylor, contrary to law 9.13.
 
The independent panel, chaired by Euan Ambrose with John Doubleday and Mike Curling, upheld the charge and Spencer was given a four-week suspension. He is free to play again on Tuesday, October 16.

Panel chair Ambrose said: "The panel considered carefully the oral evidence of the player, the written evidence of Tommy Taylor and the Wasps' medical report, alongside the video footage, and found on the balance of probabilities that this was a reckless tackle that resulted in direct, forceful contact to the head of Tommy Taylor.
 
"The panel rejected the player's evidence that any contact with the opposition player had been limited to the top of his shoulder with no contact being made to his head. Given that finding, the mandatory mid-range entry point was applied.

“The player was given credit for his previous clear record, his conduct both at the hearing and his acceptance of the on-field decision and his off-field references which reduced the sanction to four weeks. He was not eligible for the full credit due to his not guilty plea.”